Cycles of Training Courses for Mediators - in Cooperation with The Slynn Foundation - UK

During the years 2011-2014, the Foundation for "Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation of Disputes", in collaboration with the Slynn Foundation -UK, organized a series of training courses, both of basic and advanced level in the area of mediation in resolving disputes, focused on commercial and family cases. Trainings have been conducted by the very-well known mediation expert from UK, Mr. Paul Randolph, and during the last two years also by expert Spenser Hilliard.
About 220 participants have attended these trainings, which were held 2-3 times a year. Most of the participants have been subsequently licensed by the Commission for Mediators Accreditation at the Ministry of Justice.

The goal of these  training was to increase the professional skills of new and in-service mediators in managing cases through mediation.

Topics delivered included: the advantages of mediation versus litigation; the principles of mediation; the importance of the psychological aspect in mediation; communication skills and mediation skills that a mediator must posses to be successful in providing mediation services; the legal effect of the mediation agreement, etc.

Apart from the theoretical aspect, the courses have focused on enhancing mediation skills of the persons trained through mock mediations, where participants have been involved in the role of mediator, the parties, lawyers, etc. The demonstrations by the experts have been an important part of the training, illustrating the mediation skills. Guidelines about drafting the settlement agreement have been provided to the participants as well, illustrated by examples of how to draft an agreement.

The participants have been aslo introduced to the UK experience in mediation, as well as the European Union Directive 2008/52 / EC "On certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters". The Albanian law on mediation has been approximated to this Directive.

Participants have  assessed the trainings very positively, and have appreaciated the high level of experts. They have expressed the need for these training programs to continue.

During October-November 2014 the Slynn Foundation conducted a 5-day training course, divided into two stages (basic and advanced level) for training a pool of trainers in the field of alternative dispute resolution and mediation.  At the end of the course 10 persons were granted certificates of ToT in Mediation.