Monday, March 4, 2013

Making Mediation Popular ( Mock mediations)



Colleges are where dreams are formed, values instilled, the age where the students are full of energy and want to make the world a better place. The spirit to do something is highest at the college level.
If students are introduced to the peaceful aspects of living then there is hope that they will take that road. If it is not introduced at all then the education is left incomplete. This is happening all along.
One of the areas I will be touching upon in mediation in India is addressing the students and teachers of colleges specially law colleges.
One Law college I went to recently gave me a glimpse of what to expect.

The professor said that Mediation is a small chapter in the syllabus and that the students would simply go to the mediation centre to study the centre. Not a very important subject.
My questions ..how will a practicing lawyer know? That disputes could be resolved amicably too and that practicing mediation could be a thriving practice. It is about good will. People want peace whatever space they may come from. This has happened in the USA and European countries too.

Mock Mediations.
Here is an International mediation tournament being held at the NLIU, Bhopal.
It is very gripping and interesting. Around 29 colleges participated.
I hope that many colleges too take up such competitions. These are the best way to get the students have a first hand experience of a mediation set up.
See here.
International Mediation-competition-2012
The students have done an amazing job, not only of conducting the conference very professionally but recording it too. The viewers have a very good peek into the proceedings. Congratulations to NLIU, Bhopal.
Law College, Bhopal.

Competitions on Topics related to Mediation.
Mediation is an attitude which needs expression, and proper expression needs the right vocabulary. Our vocabulary if keenly observed has very few words of resolving and reconciling. In our Indian system I just observed that, we as students are either taught to give speeches or debate. We are indoctrinated with lectures on values. But the essence is lost as there is no vocabulary of peace, non violent communication, negotiation, resolution, getting together, talking it out etc.,

Another area I will be working on is having contests for students to think and speak peaceful topics. Suggestions and ideas are welcome. If anyone is already working in this sphere too an interaction is most welcome.

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