Three Day Workshop on "Mediation"

On 07/01/25, being the first day of the three-day workshop on mediation, Mr. Johnathan Rodrigues, an accomplished professional mediator, conducted an insightful session for two separate batches of students. The session was an excellent introduction to the field of mediation, focusing on its fundamentals and distinguishing it from other dispute resolution mechanisms such as litigation, arbitration, and conciliation. Mr. Rodrigues emphasized the unique characteristics of each process, offering the students a comprehensive understanding of their similarities and differences. A particularly engaging aspect of the session was the “4 square box” technique, which Mr. Rodrigues used to explain the core principles of mediation. He highlighted how mediation is a voluntary process, ensures confidentiality, maintains neutrality, and upholds party autonomy. This framework effectively captured the essence of what makes mediation distinct and valuable as a method of conflict resolution. Mr. Johnathan also introduced the students to the IMPACT model, a structured approach to conducting mediation. He broke down the process into six key stages: Initiate, Meet, Present, Analyse, Collaborate, and Test. Each step was explained with practical examples, helping students grasp how mediation unfolds in real-world scenarios. The session was interactive, thought-provoking, and knowlegable.

The second day of the three-day mediation workshop, on 08/01/25, conducted by professional mediator Johnathan Rodrigues, was both engaging and insightful. The session focused on empathic listening and the importance of speaking with empathy, emphasizing how understanding others’ emotions can transform conflict resolution. Through interactive activities, students practiced attentive listening and responding respectfully. A key activity involved resolving a listener-speaker conflict, where students alternated roles and viewed the conflict from the opposing party’s perspective, fostering understanding. The session also included role-playing scenarios on drafting agreements between hypothetical disputants, with Johnathan emphasizing listening without interruption or judgment and resisting the urge to offer advice. By the end, participants gained practical skills to approach mediation with empathy and structure. The hands-on exercises reinforced theoretical concepts, leaving students better equipped to navigate conflicts, with anticipation building for the workshop’s final day.

The final day of the three-day workshop on mediation, on 09/01/25, conducted by professional mediator Jonathan Rodrigues, was an engaging and interactive experience for all the participants. The session commenced with Mr. Rodrigues interacting with students, creating an open and energetic environment conducive to learning. A significant highlight of the day was the role-play activity. The students were divided into groups of three, with each group assigned specific roles—a mediator and two conflicting parties. Through this exercise, Mr. Rodrigues demonstrated how a mediator must guide the disputing parties toward reaching an amicable agreement at their own pace and with mutual understanding. The activity underscored the importance of effective communication, empathy, and neutrality in the mediation process. The session was not only insightful but also highly interactive and enjoyable, fostering active participation and creative problem-solving. Many students remarked on how engaging the session was and expressed newfound interest in mediation as a potential career path. The workshop concluded on a high note, leaving the participants inspired and equipped with valuable skills to navigate conflicts constructively.