Publication Type

Magazine Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

9-2009

Abstract

In his essay entitled ‘Mediation: Pfade zum Frieden’, Professor Montada has made an important contribution to the mediation literature. He questions the universality of the standard mediation model that appears to be sweeping the world with enormous zeal and in doing so puts forward theories and principles to substantiate his view. To a large extent I agree with what the author has to say about the scope and potential for mediation. In particular I support his view that professional mediators need to be made aware of the cultural limitations of the model in which they are trained. As I write these lines I am sitting in Hong Kong – my new home – where after a short period of time as a mediation practitioner, teacher and writer, differences in notions of ‘standard’ mediation principles, process and practice have emerged. I will elaborate on this aspect of the essay shortly. To my mind however Montada’s critique is based upon certain assumptions to which I do not subscribe. It is to these that I first turn.

Keywords

Mediation, universality, culture, Harvard model

Discipline

Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

Research Areas

Dispute Resolution

Publication

Erwägen Wissen Ethik

Volume

20

First Page

512

Last Page

513

ISSN

1610-3696

Publisher

Lucius and Lucius Verlagsgesellschaft

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