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Multicultural Mediator Training Fall 2007

 "Wonderful experience-Loved every moment of it"

 "Intense, yet beneficial role play"

 "The training was very complete and comprehensive"

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Cultural identity is not always understood and addressed effectively in the field of mediation. Race, gender, sexual orientation, age (both older adulthood and adolescence), socio-economic disparity, and disability are often the "elephant in the room" when people are attempting to resolve a conflict.

The Dispute Resolution Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan is conducting a study of diversity trainings and initiatives used by community mediation centers across the country. This project is conducted in collaboration with the Michigan State Administrative Office, which provides grant funding to Michigan's 20 Community Mediation Centers.

Our goal is to research best practices used in Community Mediation Centers, especially in regard to diversity training. We are interested in discovering what efforts, if any, have been made by centers to enhance mediator skills, overcome apprehension and unconscious behavior, enlarge mediator pools and serve multi-cultural constituents more effectively.

Please contact us with any questions or comments