Conflict Resolution

Mediation is a voluntary technique of conflict resolution. Mediation entails third party assistance in conflict resolution wherein agreement is reached through assisted negotiation. The mediation process is conducted by a neutral impartial mediator who facilitates and gives assistance to the parties that helps them procedurally to succeed in their conflict resolution.

The mediator's role in conflict resolution is to serve as an advocate for a fair process and to facilitate effective communication among the parties. In mediation, the mediator intervenes in a negotiation or a conflict and assists the parties in their conflict resolution to voluntarily reach a settlement that is acceptable to both.

When parties are involved in negotiations, they are faced with a variety of procedural and psychological problems that they must work through before conflict resolution can be reached. For the mediator's role to be effective, the mediator needs to assist the parties in dealing with the emotional issues while helping the parties to define the issues involved in their conflicts. The mediation process assists the parties in assessing their alternatives for the future while generating options for conflict resolution between the parties.