ABA Announces Theme For Mediation Week

The theme for this year’s American Bar Association (ABA) Mediation Week is "Mediation, Civility and the Power of Understanding." As lawyers and mediators, we understand both the challenges and rewards of helping parties in conflict reach an agreement by getting past differences in positions, by understanding each other’s perspectives better, and by finding ways to get their important interests met while staying true to their values and belief systems. Programs held during ABA Mediation Week will provide neutrals, advocates and policy makers with inspiration and tools necessary to bridge the gap that often prevents amicable resolution of disputes. Over the last few decades the field of alternative dispute resolution has grown tremendously, helping to clear dockets in the courts. The recognition that not all cases are well suited for the adversarial process and that there are multiple paths to justice is increasingly shared by attorneys, judges, and the public. Since 2011, the ABA declared Mediation Week as the third week of October, building on the prior efforts of many other national, state, and local organizations, including the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) which have traditionally celebrated conflict resolution during the month of October. ABA Mediation Week celebrates of the strides in institutionalizing mediation as one of several appropriate dispute resolution processes. Since this is an officially listed ABA Journal "Blawg," you will see more about ABA Mediation Week which will be held during October 15-21 this year. See more here-- http://bit.ly/2wuJ9Nx and http://bit.ly/2wmsqgg

Conflict Resolution Day during Mediation Week

Today is Conflict Resolution Day which promotes awareness of mediation, arbitration, conciliation and other creative, peaceful means of resolving conflict in businesses, communities, governments and the legal system. Likewise, it is Mediation Week and October has become a time to promote and celebrate peaceful conflict resolution practices worldwide. Dedicated dispute resolution practitioners are helping to educate the public about mediation and other innovative conflict management processes. The American Bar Association's "ABA Mediation Week” is held every year in conjunction with many other national, state, and local organizations, including the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). The State of Florida has also issued a proclamation in recognition of promoting mediation as an alternative to litigation while observing Mediation Week in the Sunshine State. The ABA has wonderful ADR links in its Mediation in the Mainstream themed toolkit found here: http://www.americanbar.org/groups/dispute_resolution/resources/mediation_week_toolkit.html The ACR has a dedicated page with great information here: http://www.acrnet.org/crday/