Basic training - How to become a mediator
Requirements and training structure
All applicants for the training must send in their CV. The admission requierements are an University Master or PhD and a work experience of at least three years.
An Admission interview (maximum two hours) will be held consisting of questions, like motivation, actual knowledge about mediation, learning objectives, presentation in headlines of the program, professional check with the applicants learning objective.
Before starting the basic course, the participants must study (16 hours):
Fisher, R, Ury, W. & Patton, B., Houghton Mifflin 1981 ISBN 90-204-3299-0
Moore, C.W., San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass, 3/e, 2003. ISBN 0-7879-6446-8, chapter 2: 'How mediation works'.
Prein, H., Mediation, how it works: Professional skills & techniques by the mediator. Romanian print
1. Presentation of the training program (3 hours): The outlines will be presented to the class. An overall discussion with the group must highlight the different expectations the trainer has to deal with. Here the trainer must point out where in the program the expectations will be met and how the students may perceive that their demands will be met with.
2. Theory of conflict resolution (12 hours): The dimensions of mediation indicate the scope of the theory of conflict resolution. This subject is continually noticeable during the training, almost every day. It is split up in subparagraphs in a way that that different theories are presented at different times so that for the students it remains distinguishable. It will be presented by Power Point presentation and DVD’s with Romanian subtitling.
3. Analyzing conflicts (12 hours): The theory of conflict and conflict escalation will be highlighted using the publication by Friedrich Glasl. Moreover the candidates have to fill up a questionnaire concerning their personal dominant conflict style and personality traits (Thomas Kilmann Coflict mode Instrument, Romanian version). The candidates will also have to analyze two mediation DVD’s (Romanian subtitled), referring to the theory of mediation and conflict.
Glasl, F., . Gloucestershire: Press. ISBN 1 869 890 71.X
4.Theory and practice of mediation (6 hours): The theory and practice will be present during the total course. The relevant chapters of the publications of Prein and Beer & Beer will be used and special exercises are developed for the candidates to demonstrate their progress during the course
Beer, Jennifer E. Beer & Eileen Stief, ,Gabriola: New Society Publishers, 1997. ISBN 0-86571-359-6
Prein, H., Mediation, how it works: Professional skills & techniques by the mediator. Romanian print
5. Mediation process and techniques (42 hours): During the course the candidates will have to perform a lot of practice in role-plays. Doing so, they will get feedback from the trainers and their colleagues at the course. The rules of producing feed back will explained. The candidates will have to do the role-plays of real mediations which are video taped with renowned mediators (international trainers). Having done the role-play the DVD of the same role-play will be presented. During this presentation the lead trainer will refer to the theory used by the renowned mediator. The candidates themselves must, during their private session, videotape a mediation performed by himself and present this to the lead trainer. Here he must analyze and explain the used theory.
6. Ethics (6 hours): What are the ruling ethical standards for the member states of the European Committee and how must they been applied in Romania, according to the Romanian law. The legal issues in mediation, the agreement to mediate, the memorandum of understanding according to the Romanian Law will be explained by professor Mugur Jak Professor at the of Ploiesti. A special exam has to be done by the participants.
UIA Code of Conduct for mediators
7. Communication abilities (8 hours): The effectiveness of communication requires specific communication skills. The theory of effective communication and asking questions is implemented in the course, referring to the theory of interviewing and a special consultation method in mediation.
8. Organization of mediators activities (8 hours): How does the mediator organize his activities? How does he prepare himself? With activities need to be done and which legal aspects must be met with. These subjects are presented at the beginning and at the end of the course and controlled during the topic of: ‘Mediation process and techniques’
Beer, Jennifer E. Beer & Eileen Stief, , New Society Publishers, 1997. ISBN 0-86571-359-6
Prein, H., Mediation, how it works: Professional skills & techniques by the mediator. Romanian print
9. Theoretical exam (4 hours): The theoretical exam consists of two parts: a multiple choice exam concerning the legal aspects and code of conduct and a thesis to be written concerning the literature and the articles from the course map.
Fisher, R, Ury, W. & Patton, B., . Houghton Mifflin 1981 ISBN 90-204-3299-0
Glasl,F., . Gloucestershire: Press.ISBN 1 869 890 71.X
Moore, C.W., San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass, 3/e, 2003. ISBN 0-7879-6446-8, chapter 2: 'How mediation works'.
Prein, H., Mediation, how it works: Professional skills & techniques by the mediator. Romanian print
10. Assessment (10 hours): Here the candidate must pass an assessment in front of the lead and co-trainer. He has to perform a mediation. One hour before the assessment he will get his basic information concerning both parties. He will get one hour to perform. He must be at present the whole day to watch his colleagues and be available as a role-player. At the end of the day all candidates will get their information and their suggestions for improvement and next specialization possibilities. Having passed and met with all the requirements the candidates will get their certificate.
Total 130 hours