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Transformative Mediation Articles
What's New
‘Bad Dad’ Emerges As Better Dad’ (10/19/09)
Arnold W. Zeman The text below is taken from vol. 1 issue 2 of”Conflict Chronicles” of October 15th, an email newsletter published by the Conflict Resolution Center of the University of North Dakota:
Transformative Mediation Misunderstood (6/29/09)
Arnold W. Zeman It is disappointing that Jason A. Waxman’s “A Nuanced Comparison of Transformative, Insight and Narrative Mediation” on the mediate.com website relies, in two cases, on outdated source material and, in the third case, on a secondary source.
A Nuanced Comparison Of Transformative, Insight And Narrative Mediation (6/15/09)
Jason A. Waxman Within the broad framework of mediation, there exists an expansive spectrum of styles. A particular approach or style of mediation may, therefore, be more appropriate depending on the circumstances. There are also, however, numerous similarities among the range of methodologies. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the specific approaches of transformative, insight and narrative mediation. Although these three methods differ in their approaches and applications, they are fundamental to the discipline of mediation as a whole, and contribute to both the improvement of communication and relationships, as well as to the possibility of mutually beneficial settlements.
Communications Theory And Conflict Spirals (6/08/09)
Arnold W. Zeman One of the trenchant observations made by Bush and Folger in the transformative practice literature is how much mediation theory has relied on the negotiation paradigm to conceptualize itself. In place of this paradigm, Bush and Folger offer communications theory and relational ideology as the framework for thinking about conflict and mediated conversations to deal with it.
Empathy, Apology and Forgiveness (4/06/09)
Arnold W. Zeman One of the ‘founder generation’ of transformative mediation, Dorothy J. Della Noce, has published an interesting piece on apology in the first issue of the Dutch journal, ConflictInzicht magazine. It’s largely based on research by Seiji Takaku, a report of which appeared in the Journal of Social Psychology, 141(4), 494-508 under the title, “The effects of apology and perspective taking on interpersonal forgiveness: A dissonance-attribution model of interpersonal forgiveness.”
"How Can I Serve?" (3/09/09)
Arnold W. Zeman I was so moved and inspired by the wisdom of this piece by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen in the February 23rd newsletter of the Upaya Zen Center that I am reprinting it in its entirety. The words resonate strongly for the transformative practitioner.
...Well, What Do You Do Then? (12/08/08)
Arnold W. Zeman After setting out and linking to my top ten reasons for being hired, Geoff Sharp of mediator blah…blah… asks: “. . .well, what do you do then [his emphasis]?” As I’ve already remarked, this is a very legitimate question. It’s a question that most if not all mediators have been asked by their clients at one time or another. And, it’s a question that is often specifically put to transformative mediators by facilitative or evaluative mediators.
A Shifting COnversation (11/24/08)
Arnold W. Zeman One of the key premises in transformative practice is that there are naturally-occurring shifts in conversation moving from confusion and uncertainty to clarity and strength of self, moving from self-absorption to openness and responsiveness to the other.
Stages in the Mediation Process (11/10/08)
Arnold W. Zeman Geoff Sharp of mediator blah…blah points today to a discussion paper for union members, Should I try mediation? that was written by David Bleiman, a union official.
I have quickly read through the executive summary–the document appears to me to be quite comprehensive, particularly in its analysis of issues for union members who are considering mediation. In at least one respect, however, it errs by implicitly assuming that all approaches to mediation share the characteristic of moving through five stages
Transformative Mediation News (10/30/07)
Geoff Sharp Clare Coburn of Melbourne's La Trobe Law School recently spoke Australia's National Radio where she explained the need of receptive listening in our relationships and within our institutions.And you may care to read this piece on Love, Care, and the Inevitable Arguments: mediators can provide a welcome rational approach to realities of elder care.And go here for the University of North Dakota's Jim Antes where he speaks about the role of a transformative mediator to empower parties to make...
Elements of Style: The What, Why & How of Transformative Peer Mediation (9/23/07)
Lisa Hershman The recently released, second edition of “Recommended Standards for School-Based Peer Mediation Programs” (Standards) is a notable accomplishment. It compiles years of research, developments, and practical knowledge into a comprehensive, easy to read document that is certain to stimulate further development in the field. This is important to note because there is still much work to be done. Over the next decade, it is my guess that the dialogue over mediation style, currently simmering in the adult mediation community, will extend into the peer mediation field. While the Standards acknowledge that styles other than problem-solving mediation exist, “problem-solving/facilitative” mediation is the touchstone of the entire document. Problem-solving has become the gold standard by default. This article is intended for program coordinators, trainers, and funders who are interested in exploring different approaches to peer mediation.
Bad Apples, Bad Barrels (8/20/07)
Brendan Donaghy Is the focus on relationship and empowerment the correct approach in all circumstances? What if the causes of conflict are not always in the relationship, but in the environmental context in which that relationship exists? What if, as a consequence of this, empowerment of individuals through mediation is not always possible, as the individuals concerned have limited control over the issues at the core of their dispute?
Using a Transformative Approach in an Elementary School Peer Mediation Program (7/02/07)
Lisa Hershman Peer mediation programs traditionally work within a problem-solving framework: Conflict is viewed as a “problem” that can and must be solved. But what happens when there is no solution? Or, better yet, when the conflict isn’t really a problem? Faced with these dilemmas, the problem-solving approach can become frustrating and demoralizing – especially for young children. This article looks to the experience of an elementary school peer mediation program to demonstrate how incorporating elements of transformative mediation can address some of the pitfalls of the problem-solving approach.
Transformation Mediation May Have Led To A Greener Buyout Of A Texas Utility (6/04/07)
Jeffrey Kreisberg In an unprecedented move, environmentalists were called to the negotiation table to help ensure that the buyout of the Texas utility, TXU, was environmentally friendly. The deal resulted in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, but more could have been done. This paper will discuss how the addition of a mediator with expertise in transformation mediation techniques to the bargaining table may have resulted in a “greener” deal. Transformation mediation would have helped each party better understand that it is our moral obligation and our common interest to do a better job to increase public health and protect the planet for our children. This would have created an opportunity to reduce emissions and pollution further, while putting a serious effort into energy efficiency and the use of alternative and reusable forms of energy. America is poised to lead the world in this arena.
Communicating for Peace (4/30/07)
Sanjana Hattotuwa Growing up in conflict does one of two things – it teaches you the limitations of violence to engender sustainable social change, or it compels you to enter the cycle of violence itself. Violence is often perceived to be an effective way to change the order of things. The internal logic of martyrdom and suicide terrorism may be inexplicable to those outside terrains of hopelessness, but easier to understand when juxtaposed against the backdrop of a perceived lack of alternatives and indoctrination. Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), now often touted as a panacea for socio-economic development, fail to make any sense for those enmeshed in violent conflict. This is why I have proposed a deep and meaningful exploration into the way ICT can help engender peace and conflict transformation. I am interested in how (and indeed, if) democracy and peace can be strengthened in countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Colombia, Timor Leste using ICT – how they could be made more resilient to the mercurial actions and policies of political leaders and non-state actors that often sow the seeds for more conflict, how they could give voice to the voiceless and marginalised, and how they can strengthen the participation of youth and empower women in reconciliation.
How the Quest Was Done (8/20/06)
Gary Weiner Being a thrilling, spellbinding but true story right out of the wild west of a California mediation followed by some musings for mediators on the meaning of the story by the mediator himself, Gary Weiner.
Transforming Chicago: The Purpose of Partnering (8/07/06)
Herman Bingham Herman Bingham, former Manager, EEO Dispute
Resolution for the US Postal Service, Chicago District and
case manager for the REDRESS® program there, describes his
experiences in partnering with the Institute for the Study
of Conflict Transformation in order to foster discussion
about the transformative model among REDRESS mediators and
thereby enhance their practice confidence and competence.
How Transformative Mediation Can Help Divorcing Couples (8/08/05)
Daniel Bjerknes Family relationships are on-going, even though the marriage is over, so couples
that are able to spend time in mediation preparing, discussing, and planning how life may be after the divorce will minimize the stress and conflict often associated with the separation process.
Transformative Mediation: Reviewing The Basics (6/02/05)
Sally Ganong Pope The past ten years have been significant, formative years for transformative mediation. During those ten years, many of us across the United States and in Europe and Japan assisted with the development and understanding of the transformative model. Most recently, last November, a three-day national conference was held in Philadelphia – the first national conference on transformative mediation sponsored by the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation. The conference inspired me to go back to consider some basics: the arrangement of furniture as symbolic and supportive of our work.
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