If you’ve ever wanted to see a simulated mediation (and you’re in Hawai'i) today is your big chance.
After Mediation Awareness Week UK comes Conflict Resolution Day 2016 and at the Hilo Lagoon Centre the Hawai'in Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center is holding a public event which Executive Director Julie Mitchell explained will include “a ʻLive Action Mediationʻ to demonstrate how mediators empower people to find their own best solutions”
Other events include a showing of the video Mediation: An Alternative to Court, and videos and demonstrations of how mediations are set up and run and workshops explaining why mediation works.
In addition Julie says the attendees will be “invited to take a quiz to win a door prize, sign the Hawaiʻi Mediation Pledge, talk-story with staff and volunteers, watch mediation videos, listen to mediation PSAs, browse literature, explore the office and more,”.
Should you want to attend the Hilo Lagoon Centre is located at 101 Aupuni Strett. PH 1014 B-2.
For more information visit www.hawaiimediation.org
Meanwhile in other US news the least likely candidate for becoming an international mediator has put his hat in the ring to assist Pakistan and India.
Not content with running for US President Donald Trump , yes him, has said he is willing to mediate between India and Pakistan. That they are both nuclear-capable countries with a difficult past isn’t something which would put Donald off, but I think I’d rather he stuck to TV “reality” shows than potentially causing thermo-nuclear international incidents.
In a report in the Hindustan Times and Daily Pakistan widely covered elsewhere the Republican candidate said "Well, I would love to see Pakistan and India get along, because that's a very, very hot tinderbox ... That would be a very great thing. I hope they can do it," he added "if it was necessary" he would step in and help them out with negotiations “If we could get India and Pakistan getting along, I would be honoured to do that. That would be a tremendous achievement ... I think if they wanted me to. I would love to be the mediator or arbitrator".
I suspect Donald’s been to busy to read my blog, lately, to realise that Mediation is not Arbitration, mediators don’t judge, don’t form opinions and don’t attend to inflame situations – something which a character like Donald is, in my humble opinion, more than likely to do.
Unlike Donald as a mediator I have to be independent, unbiased, calm, rational, even thoughtful and approachable and parties have to be able to know that what we say to each other will go no further, I'm not quite clear which of these attributes Donald thinks he has but if you want to talk to someone who does have them about your dispute then call me on 07931318347 or via email ed.johnson@northwestmediation.co.uk