For: Students in DPP programs and of special interest for those pursuing the Conflict Resolution Certificate.

Mediation is one tool for an impartial third party to assist others to constructively address conflict. In this hands-on workshop, mediation will described, different types of mediation discussed, underlying principals explored, and skills needed for mediation practiced. Role-plays will be incorporated into the work to practice active listening, distinguishing positions from interests, reframing, and formulating open-ended questions. Emotions of not only the parties but also of the mediator play an important role in the course of the mediation process. To develop self-knowledge and facilitate personal growth, workshop participants will explore their emotional intelligence by completing the EQ-i2.0 assessment instrument; reflecting on their strengths; and developing an action plan for improving their emotional competencies within the context of conflict management and resolution. We will also explore personal conflict orientations, biases and world-views – essential to assuming an effective role as a neutral party. To further link theory and practice, theories helpful to understanding mediation and related psychological processes will be presented. This workshop is relevant to professional work in the conflict resolution field.