Public Policy Section
"Mediation 20/20: Navigating Mediation's Best Future" is the theme of Mediate.com's 25th Anniversary Online Conference taking place online September 30 to October 2, 2020. This conference is both a focused think-tank conference dedicated to defining the best course for mediation's continued growth and a celebration of Mediate.com's first 25 years. This article from Harvard's "The Practice," shines a light on ODR and its evolution using Colin Rule’s career as a guide. In building ODR systems for the world’s largest online marketplace and for court systems across the country, Rule’s career offers a window through which to observe and understand the larger ODR movement—a movement that is all the more important as the world grapples with the continued impacts of COVID-19. Mediate.com has published a series of peer reviewed articles and videos under the collective title Seven Keys to Unlock Mediation’s Golden Age. The objective of the Seven Keys is to encourage discussion among all stakeholders on navigating mediation’s best future. Frank Sander reflects on his concerns within the field, which include the tension of quality vs. quantity of the practice, the lack of studies of cost effectiveness, disappointments with the court system fees, and the difficulty of getting more young people/apprentices into the field. However, he's optimistic about the future of mediation. If a person during a caucus session tells the mediator that he committed a crime which had nothing to do with the case in mediation, what does the mediator do? As insights and priorities continue to emerge from the data from the 2016-17 Global Pound Conference, its unique value becomes increasingly apparent. Fundamentally, mediators work with people’s psychologies and identities, their worldviews and self-views - everything that makes up what it is to be a human being. The Foundation’s 2020 funding cycle is intended to make contributions in two important areas: 1) making ADR processes more accessible and available; and 2) creating innovative ways to engage citizens in meaningful dialogue with one another and/or with government authorities, including the police, to address long-standing racial discrimination. In recent efforts to improve law enforcement’s role in serving our communities, a major issue is whether police departments can be assisted or replaced by professionals better suited to handling citizen calls on some issues. This paper discusses the emphasis of Alternate Dispute Resolution in the field of ADA and Disability Discrimination and then provides a more detailed review of recent Title I and Title III cases. Resolution 1325 marks the first time that the UNSC affirmed the critical role of women in conflict resolution and peace building. I am calling upon all Professional Mediators to deploy as a powerful peacemaking force in our current national crisis. Roger Fisher explains that when one party doesn't want to negotiate, talk to others around them to find out their motivations, interests, concerns, and worries. This article series includes viewpoints on the current state of conflict resolution from all 7 continents. This article focuses on North America. Mediate.com announced today that Colin Rule has been named President and Chief Executive Officer. Jim Melamed, the company’s co-founder and CEO for 25 years, is now chair of the board and general counsel. Over the last week, a group of conflict engagement practitioners have created a statement of intent regarding racism. The idea started with Susanne Terry who, with Bernie Mayer and input from a number of other interested persons, created, "Constructive Conflict and Strategic Disruption: A Statement from Conflict Engagement Practitioners." A neuroscience explanation of the reaction to the George Floyd tragedy; specific steps leaders need to take to affect change; and how mediators and facilitators can help in the process. This is a video introduction to "Eye of the Storm Leadership" by Peter Adler, Ph.D. - 150 Ideas, Stories, Quotes, and Excercises On The Art and Politics of Managing Human Conflicts. See the book and complete video at www.eyeofthestormleadership.com Bernie Mayer describes his motivation as a mediator which involves promoting participatory democracy, empowering people to control the outcomes of the crises in their own lives. In this outstanding collection of essays, there are tips for managing disagreements, guidelines for handling children’s needs, information about finances, and even a recipe for Quarantine Cookies. The "digitization of mediation," now on steroids with the Covid-19 pandemic, has resulted in dramatic changes and new opportunities for mediators and the mediation field. A part of this includes new meanings for old words. Don Saposnek describes how different mediation models, while they may have different qualities and values, are often blended together by experienced mediators. Joe Folger believes that the purpose of mediation is to give people voice and choice and moments of recognition are powerful and just as important as getting settlement. Think "I Can" like it's your first day on the job, everyday. Unexpected belt-tightening is unpleasant. It unravels expectations and invokes fear. The more severe the shock, the more severe the manifestations can be. If you are a leader, you are also suddenly thrust into “crisis management” mode, which raises questions. What is your strategy?
Public Policy & Environmental Articles
Mediate.com's 25th Anniversary "Mediation 20/20" Online Conference
Separating the People from the Problem - Colin Rule and the Rise of Online Dispute Resolution
Seven Keys to Unlock Mediation’s Golden Age - The Introduction
Concerns and Optimism for Future
If a Crime is Admitted, What Then?
2nd Key-Data: Run the Global Pound Conference (GPC) Series Every 5-7 Years
3rd Key-Education: Include Learning in Psychology & Brain Science to Enhance Mediator Practice
The AAA-ICDR Foundation and How to Apply for Current Grant Funding
Use Mediators and Police as Conflict Resolution Partners
Recent Court ADA Case Review for Conflict Resolution Practitioners
6th Key-Government: Actively Support UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, & Security
Mediators Needed in this Time Which Tries Our Souls
Working with People Who Don't Want to Negotiate
Conflict Resolution in the Time of COVID-19--Voices from Seven Continents of the World: North America
Online Dispute Resolution Pioneer Colin Rule Named Mediate.com CEO
Constructive Conflict and Strategic Disruption: A Statement from Conflict Engagement Practitioners
George Floyd: What Leaders Need To Do Now
Eye of the Storm Leadership
Participatory Democracy is Motivation to Mediate
Surviving the Pandemic - Advice from 74 Family Experts
What Is Your Mediation Background?
Transcending Mediation Models
Transformative Mediation For All Cases?
The Brain Under Conflict
Cutback Planning: Consultation in a Time of Retrenchment