ABSTRACT
The first community mediation service was Newham Conflict and Change Project. It was initiated by two ministers with parishes in Newham, arising out of their concern at the level of conflict they witnessed, particularly interracial tension. They had heard of community mediation growing in the USA, in particular the work of the IMCR in New York, and saw possibilities for similar work in Newham. However, they felt that American models could not necessarily be imported directly into a very different cultural context. They approached the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, London, for advice and support in establishing the project, and two consultants worked with them. One of the main aims established was an educational one: to explore and understand the nature of conflict and change as experienced by residents in Newham. The conciliation service for actual disputes was seen as secondary to the main aim of understanding conflict.11
