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Getting
in Touch With the Whole World Through Blogging: Part 2 of "Getting to Yes
With ADR Blogs
from "Online
Guide to Mediation" by Diane Levin 
According to the
most recent edition (in PDF) of the Bond
University Dispute Resolution Centre newsletter, Australia has taken a major
step forward toward establishment of a national system of mediator accreditation
as the result of the system's endorsement by delegates at Australia's National
Mediation Conference in May 2006.
The system, which at this time features but one level of mediator accreditation
and for general practice only, would ultimately result in a national register of
accredited mediators. The system may be adapted later on to create accreditation
for specializations within mediation practice, such as family, workplace, and
personal injury, as well as advanced practitioner levels. Participation by
mediators in this system would be voluntary and not compulsory.
Further information about Australia's National
Accreditation Standards for Mediators may be found at the National
Mediation Conference web site. The
final draft of the report to the Conference is available for downloading in
Word format.
Unfortunately here in the U.S., momentum has stalled on the mediation
certification project which the Association for
Conflict Resolution undertook in conjunction with the American
Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution. The two groups worked
together to establish a Mediator
Certification Task Force which recommended the creation of a Mediator
Certification Program, and in early 2005 a Mediator
Certification Feasibility Study (PDF) was conducted to invite input from
stakeholders.
The word on the street now is that the ACR has quietly decided to leave this
project on hold and commit its resources elsewhere, leaving many mediators
feeling frustrated and angry that a project launched with so much fanfare has
now been placed on standby.
It's disappointing that while Australia moves forward into the future with
national accreditation for mediators, we continue to lag behind here. But in the
meantime we can watch and learn from Australia's experience as the mediation
community down under prepares for the system's official launch.
About The Author
Diane Levin is a mediator, trainer, attorney and founder of Partnering
Solutions, LLC, a dispute resolution firm based in the Greater Boston
area. More articles of interest can be found at her mediation blog
"Online Guide to Mediation" at http://www.mediationblog.blogspot.com.
Disclaimer
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