conflict management systems

being asked about my occupation, my activities, my job, i once replied in a dry manner: "i am a mediator". this caused my discussion partner to be dazzled and you could tell from his eyes and his frown that there was certain kind of connection, of linkage to something, but he couldn't tell right away what it was. it was at the same instant when another member of the group explained what it really means. the other partner hit himself on the forehead, turned to me with a smile, and said: "i thought you were a medium, getting in touch with the deads and such!". i must admit, it was the first time i recall the word causing such a connection.
other definition weren't that far off of this previous example: some comments suggest that i would sit down on a rug, hold my clients by the hand, and mediTate.
without getting to deep into the subject and the issue that though mediation as such has already gotten through the popular channels of internet and media in general, it is still a very unknown tool to many of the people.

i have been working in the field of mediation for quite a while and i have seen the struggling of establishing a definition which automatically leads to certain assumptions and understanding on the meaning and purpose of this communication tool. because it is basically about communication.

trying to place the mediation process in the general world of conflict resolution, it can be said that it is the sole tool which is structured and led by a neutral third party, asking for interests and emotions and working towards a sustainable agreement.

in the field of intercultural mediation, proconsensus has established a conflict management systems for the corporate world but which can nevertheless be extended to several areas. based on the principles of organisation theories, systemic theories, social constructivism, cosmopolitanism and the well-known bible of negotiations, the harvard-principles, the conflict management system according to proconensus serves a wide range of clients at the same level of effectivity. the primary objective of this type of conflict management system is not to act in regard of the specific situatioin in a patchy way, but to recognize, understand and analyze conflicts at the earliest possible stages and to effectively solve it with the respective dispute resolution tool or with a synergy of tools.

proconsensus combines all the types of the dispute resolution models and tools to a powerful system that serves the client at the fullest extent.
if you want to find out more about this topic, please do not hesitate to drop a mail at proconsensus@proconsensus.org and request more information.

by jose pascal da rocha, intercommadvisor@mac.com