New mediator course

• 9 Modules that take 20-hours.
• 10 – 15 online mock mediation practical sessions
• 5 brainstorming sessions on real issues.
• Expert tutoring and feedback contextualized real cases for mock mediation.
• Video library of mediation cases. Interactive foundational content.
• Self-paced content.
• Flexible timing in the comfort of your home or office.
• Opening statement practice
• Open-ended question practice
• Certificate of Completion.

The main objective of this whole course is to empower individuals to prevent, resolve, and transform violent and nonviolent conflict by developing the values, attitudes, skills, and knowledge to envision alternative options for action towards building peace. By the end of this training, you will be able to:

• Manage the mediation process effectively.
• Define and refine questioning techniques.
• Settle conflicts and disputes effectively.
• Use neutral language towards resolutions to encourage the disputants.
• Transform the way you and others communicate verbally and non-verbally.

Introduction to Mediation

In mediation, a trained person acts as neutral person helping parties in conflict to understand the root causes of their dispute and to ultimately agree on a plan for resolving the conflict in an amicable settlement that is responsive to their needs and acceptable to all sides. It is a flexible process where a mediator asks questions reframe issues and assist the parties to understand each other. Mediation sessions usually begin with the introduction of the mediator to the two parties. The mediator will provide procedural guiding principles, such as making no interruptions when the other party is speaking. He/she will explain the mediation process including clarification of the issue of session confidentiality, securing agreement on time allocation, and securing a commitment from the parties to seek resolution in good faith. The mediator will then explain the role of the mediator — to be an impartial facilitator, not an advocate or judge of either party, or to assist the parties in arriving at their own solutions. The mediator will end the opening statement. After the opening statement from the mediator, the mediator will ask the person initiating the mediation session — usually the aggrieved employee — to explain in his/her own words the nature of the complaint and what type of remedy he/she is seeking. The mediator will then ask the respondent, or management official, to make an opening statement to explain in his/her own words his/her perspective of the complaint.

The mediator will proceed to facilitate the session so that clarifying questions can be asked and potential solutions can be discussed. Everyone is encouraged throughout the process to be thinking of ways in which the dispute might be settled to the satisfaction of each party. Following the joint discussions, the mediator will caucus if necessary. A caucus is a private meeting during which the mediator talks with each party separately about the dispute. Information revealed in the caucus that is confidential will not be shared in the other caucus or when the parties reconvene in a joint session unless the party providing the confidential information permits the mediator to share it. If a settlement is reached, the parties will draft the terms of the settlement agreement that are acceptable to the parties.

Instructions on how to navigate.

In this course, you will find all the materials and templates needed to initiate you to become a certified mediator. To navigate is simple, just click the complete button to the next topic. You will be required to book all the other practice sessions which includes mock mediation practice, opening statement practice, open-ended question practice and the caucus practice sessions. To book for the practice sessions, click on the red bolded interlink at the end of the module after the assignment.

To satisfactorily complete and receive your certificate in mediation, you would be required to complete the 40-hour course minimum. There are 10 Modules that you will be required to go through with 5 by yourself and 3 live classes. There will be a minimum of 15 mock mediations.

Here are the steps to receive your Certificate of Completion:

• Complete the 10 modules.
• Participate in 15 mediation simulations.
• Book the opening statement practice session.
• Book open-ended question practice.
• Book caucus practicing session.
• A link for a final assessment will be sent to you and on taking the assessment, you will download your Certificate of Completion automatically.
• Follow ALL instructions at the end of the module and do the assignment.

About the trainers.

The training will be provided by internationally renowned, highly experienced tutors, combining self-paced detailed content with practice sessions and a brainstorming session with experts to help you qualify as a professional mediator. It provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in contextualized and cross-cultural practices. Our mediators are polite, impartial, good listeners, empathetic, non-judgmental, patient, optimistic, trustworthy and are able to identify emotions and validate them.

Requirements

The requirements are simple:

• A computer or mobile phone with a working camera, microphone, and audio.
• A reliable WIFI or data bundles.
• A basic knowledge of your own technical equipment.
• Quiet environment with no or minimum interruptions.
• Commitment to complete the course of 40 hours to receive your Certificate of Completion

The self-paced online course contains nine modules, and you will only manage to go to the next module when you finish the previous module. You will have a quiz at the end of the module, and it is important that you pass the quiz to enable you move to the next. This will be your continuous assessment test that will account for 30% of the total mark. Before attaining your certificate, you will be required to do 15 mock mediations which account for 40% and a final assessment that will account for 30%. You will need a notebook and a pen for the course. What you jolt down will help you in future and serve as a permanent reference tool.

CAUTION: Follow the instructions at the end of every module very very carefully!