I was recently described as a ‘career mediator’ and I find that description particularly apt. I have been a full-time commercial mediator for over 12 years. I mediate internationally and believe that mediation belongs at the heart of our businesses and organisations because it truly crosses borders, both cultural and geographical. Mediation is a process that can be flexed enough to deliver in a way that the legal process cannot.
I am also very committed to developing the mediation profession as distinct and modern. I have spent a good deal of time researching and developing competency and training and new models of understanding about what it is that we do that makes 8 out of 10 mediations end in settlement. For the last two years I have been developing the use of mediation in public policy and applying mediation to areas traditionally considered unsuitable for mediation.
In my ’spare’ time you will find me out and about with my camera and occasionally I might post images here which I think mediators might find interesting! It is a small personal indulgence and of course if they get bad reviews I can always delete them! I find photography is very similar to mediation - it requires focus, editing, perspective, illumination (lighting), instinct and the ability to reframe the familiar in a way that is new and engaging.
Why a blog and not a web site? There are a number of good mediation web sites but web sites don’t have quite the same level of interaction as a blog. I also like the idea of the mediation community making this blog what it can be. It fits the mediation model so much better! A weblog or blog is much more sophisticated and flexible. It offers a much higher level of interaction and it suits my preferred method of communicating: conversation. It is also very simple.
Over 4 years ago I started the Learning Community Online for the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators to support the MATA/CIArb mediation training programme. At that time a forum for mediators was a revolutionary idea and forum software was very limited but the forum became very popular. I hope this blog will too.
I also wanted to design something that could be international. You will find language translators powered by Google on this site for French, German, Italian, Dutch, Spanish and Greek. I will add more and if people post in those languages you will be able to translate into English using the same tools.
Also on this blog
- you can subscribe to an RSS feed and have highlights delivered to your desktop without your inbox being flooded with emails.
- You can post a comment or upload a conference programme or provide a link to an interesting article.
- You can view video interviews with leading mediators - more are in the pipeline from the Master Classes and Debates.
- You will find good articles, links to interesting web sites.
- You will find a calendar of events
- Experienced mediators will find the profiles of willing assistants, and
- new mediators can upload a brief profile.
The site will created by those who use it. My role is as a facilitator, contributor and occasionally I may have to ‘arbitrate’ in the case of inappropriate material!
If you have any ideas then please add your post! You can post in confidence. There is a requirement to register if you wish to post so that the site is protected from spammers and other internet terrors. Your details will no be used for any other purpose and the process is very simple.
Most of all - please spread the word.
Amanda
