Transformative Mediation

This workshop presents the transformative approach for mediating interpersonal conflict.

Transformative mediation cultivates positive changes in the way parties view their situation and it is particularly effective when the participants seem unwilling to engage in cooperative problem solving or are reluctant to accept “reasonable” solutions.

Since this workshop is also part of the training for volunteer mediators at Community Justice Initiatives (more details below) it draws on our 35+ year history of having trained hundreds of mediators who have gone on to successful complete thousands of mediations for CJI. As such, the focus is on developing practical mediation skills and it highlights how an experienced mediator’s style would differ from a beginner’s style.

Using a combination of presentations, interactive exercises, self-reflection, role plays, and discussions, this 28-hour workshop explores the following topics:

• Four Aspects of Interpersonal Conflict that are Often Overlooked
• Four Habits of Inexperienced Mediators
• Empowerment and Recognition: Key Concepts in Transformative Mediation
• Conflict Management and Mediation Styles: Strengths and Limitations
• Directive and Non-directive Questions
• The Risks of Being Too Directive
• Common Habits that Hinder Communication
• Effective Non-directive Questions
• Six Key Mediation Skills
• How to Build Understanding

• An Easy Approach to Finding Common Ground
• How to Deal with Disruptive Behaviour
• Achieving Balance: When to Exert More or Less Control
• The Phases of a Transformative Mediation Process
• Contrasting Transformative Mediation and other Mediation Styles
• The Pre-mediation Meeting: Case Development
• The Caucus
• Mediation Challenges: Power
• Mediation Challenges: Cultural Difference
• Next Steps