The New York Times blog, “The New Old Age”, ran a piece today on Elder Mediation. The piece, “When The Family Needs an Umpire”, by Joshua Tapper, described several scenarios where elder mediation can help a family through challenges relating to aging loved ones. The idea of a mediator as an “umpire” is not uncommon. […]
Conflict Resolution Day
The Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) is the professional organization for mediators. Each year, ACR celebrates Conflict Resolution Day on the third Thursday of October. This year, that’s today, October 21. To quote ACR: “Conflict Resolution Day was conceived in 2005 by ACR to: • Promote awareness of mediation, arbitration, conciliation and other creative, peaceful […]
Mediation a Gamble? Part II
On September 19, 2010, the New York Times published an article titled “When Mortgage Mediation Is a Gamble” by Gretchen Morgenson. In it, she described some of the pitfalls of Nevada’s foreclosure mediation program. Most of the time we think of mediation as a low-risk endeavor: there isn’t much to lose in a process where […]
Mediation a Gamble? Part I
On September 19, 2010, the New York Times published an article titled “When Mortgage Mediation Is a Gamble” by Gretchen Morgenson. In it, she described some of the pitfalls of Nevada’s foreclosure mediation program. Most of the time we think of mediation as a low-risk endeavor: there isn’t much to lose in a process where […]
“Patience, persistence, and determination”
“Patience, persistence, and determination.” Those are the words used by Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell to describe how he will proceed in the Middle East Peace Process. Patience, persistence, and determination are the qualities that a mediator brings to a conflict. We work hard to get people in conflict to the table. […]
Information, Elder Mediation, and Difficult Decisions
Last week, the New York Times published an article by Jane E. Brody titled “Frank Talk About Care at Life’s End.” The article covered some of the thorny issues surrounding “the medical, humanitarian and economic value of helping terminally ill patients and and their families navigate treatment options as they approach the end of life.” […]
Mediator, Negotiator, Diplomat?
The upcoming “direct talks” in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process are in the news. Some stories reference “mediators”, some “negotiators”, some “diplomats”. So what’s in a name? Does it matter what the people are called? In these high profile situations, it seems at times that the connotation of a word can mean as much as the […]
Berlin Bridge Mediation
A few days ago, NPR’s “Morning Edition” ran a story called “Tourists Seek Real Berlin on Bridge, Find Controversy.” As reporter Eric Westervelt summed it up, the residents who live near the bridge want a good night’s sleep and a better plan to manage the city’s “growing tourist industry and the local conflicts that success […]
Russian Mediation
We don’t always think of Russia as a nation with a strong emphasis on enlightened dispute resolution processes or a desire to craft conflict resolution procedures that embody respect and equality for participants. So, a recent online article in “The Voice of Russia” caught my eye. According to the July 30, 2010 article, a new […]
Mediation as TV drama?
TV pilots cover a wide range of topics; some reach production and some don’t. One that caught my eye actually involves mediation. Backstage.com describes it this way: Facing Kate (Drama, USA Network) A top litigator, frustrated with the bureaucracy and injustice she witnesses in the legal system, decides to become the ultimate anti-lawyer: a mediator. […]
