
Applications
- Public disputes where substantial interests are at stake.
- In organizations and businesses where there are differences between management and employees.
- Between organizations and/or governmental departments.
- Where there are differences between people and the public sector.
- In national and international disputes and/or interventions in wars.
- In family disputes e.g. divorce, child custody, and inheritance.
- In educational institutes, where there are differences between e.g. students (peer mediation), students and teachers and school and parents.
- Commercial differences e.g. between traders and customers and other variations.
- Contract negotiations where the mediator facilitates the procedures.
- Assisting the parties to identify the items that are part of the dispute. In the event that mediation is not possible the parties can be referred to other procedures e.g. litigation or arbitrator.
- Forming policies where on going debate is taking place between the state, the public and its associations. This is useful in preempting the occurrence of disputes.
Approaches
There are a number of approaches based on the corresponding therapeutic ones:
Problem solving approach
This is a process where a third party, through specific procedures, helps the disputing parties to reach a mutually acceptable solution. This will be achieved through negotiations focusing on the problem and a win-win resolution. Other aspects of the dispute are usually not dealt with. On the other hand, there are a number of variations of this approach where other aspects e.g. emotions are taken into account.
Transformative approach
This is an evolution from the problem solving approach. The aim is the transformation of the relationships. The process facilitates ego empowerment, recognition of the other and the advancement of relational skills. The solution of the problem is not a necessary outcome; when reached it is a bi product of transforming the relationships.
Humanistic approach
This is derived from the corresponding therapeutic model of Carl Rogers and consists of a special application of transformative mediation. The humanism shared by all people is mobilized and leads each participant to feel what the other feels (empathy). They are lead to a healing of the wounds and personal growth, towards self-actualization. It is particularly suitable for family, community, work place disputes and cases of victims and perpetrators.
Narrative approach
This is derived from the corresponding meta-modern therapy of White and Epston. The certainties, that are part of the stories that each one presents, undergo deconstruction, so undermines the certainties that fed and justified the conflict. Through this process is each party to see in their own scenario as well as in the others. Positive aspects included or not in the scenarios, emerge through suitable questions. The aim is the co-construction of an alternative narrative that will include every one involved in the dispute. Further, the problem is externalized in a way and named e.g. their odyssey; they will then work together to pinpoint what it has done to them and what they can do with it. The eventual scope is the co-construction of an alternative story by the parties aimed at the future.
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