ABSTRACT

The Handbook of Mediation gathers leading experts across fields related to peace, justice, human rights, and conflict resolution to explore ways that mediation can be applied to a range of spectrums, including new age settings, relationships, organizations, institutions, communities, environmental conflicts, and intercultural and international conflicts. The text is informed by cogent theory, state-of-the-art research, and best practices to provide the reader with a well-rounded understanding of mediation practice in contemporary times.

Based on four signature themes—contexts; skills and competencies; applications; and recommendations—the handbook provides theoretical, applicable, and practical insight into a variety of key approaches to mediation. Authors consider modern conflict on a local and global scale, emphasizing the importance of identifying effective strategies, foundations, and methods to shape the nature of a mediation mindfully and effectively. With a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives, the text complements the development of the reader’s competencies and understanding of mediation in order to contribute to the advancement of the mediation field.

With a conversational tone that will welcome readers, this comprehensive book is essential reading for students and professionals wanting to learn a wide range of potential interventions for conflict.

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

Revealing the world of mediation

part I|64 pages

Promoting dynamic mediation in the new age

chapter 1|12 pages

Mediation career trends through time

Exploring opportunities and challenges

chapter 2|9 pages

Online technology

The new frontier for mediation and conflict engagement

chapter 5|7 pages

Value-centered mediation

The centrality and use of meaning and values

chapter 7|6 pages

Mediation and spirituality

part II|66 pages

Mediating in relational settings

chapter 8|15 pages

Transformative mediation

Illustrating a relational view of conflict intervention

chapter 10|8 pages

Victim-offender mediation

A humanistic approach

chapter 13|9 pages

Mediation and collaboration with multiple disciplines

The implementation of systemic theory in alternative dispute resolution

chapter 14|7 pages

Dynamic mediation

Integrating forgiveness

part III|63 pages

Mediating in organizational and institutional settings

chapter 16|11 pages

Organizational conflict management systems

The emergence of mediators as conflict resolution professionals

chapter 20|7 pages

Health care mediation

Promoting workplace collaboration and patient safety

part IV|51 pages

Mediating in community settings

chapter 22|10 pages

Promoting peaceful communities

The challenges and benefits of community-police mediation

chapter 23|6 pages

The Prison of Peace project

A model for community transformation

chapter 24|9 pages

Sustaining peer mediation

Assessing challenges and opportunities for peace educators

chapter 26|8 pages

The space of conflict

Aesthetic lessons for mediators

chapter 27|8 pages

From peers to community

Transferring peer mediation skills from school to community

part V|39 pages

Mediating within environmental settings

chapter 28|14 pages

Conflict, climate change, and environmental catastrophe

How mediators can help save the planet

chapter 29|5 pages

Mediators as advocates in climate negotiations

The power of neutrality

chapter 32|8 pages

The public sector as mediator

The role of public institutions in environmental collaboration and conflict resolution

part VI|98 pages

Mediating in international and intercultural settings

chapter 33|14 pages

Thinking locally, acting globally

Mediating beyond borders and integrated global capacity building

chapter 35|9 pages

Exploring international mediation

Past, present and beyond

chapter 37|8 pages

International mediation

Some observations and reflections

chapter 38|7 pages

Success and failure of international mediation

Examining causes and conditions that impede or assist process success

chapter 40|11 pages

Mediating in the shadow of conflict

United States Special Operations Forces in unconventional warfare

chapter 41|10 pages

Religion and mediation

Strange bedfellows or natural allies?

chapter 42|9 pages

Mediating peacebuilding in protracted conflicts

An interactive design framework

chapter |10 pages

Conclusion

The future of mediation in a changing world