International Mediation Institute- Certifying International Competency Standards for Mediators

INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION INSTITUTE Certifying International Competency Standards for Mediators Michael Leathes Executive Director, International Mediation Institute The Hague INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION INSTITUTE • Background • Competency Certification Proposal • Independent Standards Commission March 2008 INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION INSTITUTE • Background • Competency Certification Proposal • Independent Standards Commission March 2008 Background What is IMI & who set it up? • An international public benefit initiative • Incorporated in The Netherlands as a non-profit foundation • To promote mediation on a co-ordinated, global scale IMI’s Founding Institutions: American Arbitration Association Singapore Mediation Centre Singapore International Arbitration Centre Netherlands Mediation Institute March 2008 Background Why has IMI been established? • Provide a simple way for parties to identify: – mediators meeting international competency standards – suitable competent mediators • Vest mediation with a true sense of free-standing professionalism, no longer reliant on the separate professional status of its practitioners (eg as a lawyer) March 2008 Background IMI’s Vision Position mediation as the preferred method for resolving disputes and make a significant contribution to the advancement of international peace and harmony by generating: • confidence in mediators • understanding of the mediation process March 2008 Background IMI’s Mission To generate global confidence in the mediation process through internationally recognized high competency certification standards of mediators March 2008 Background IMI’s Guiding Principles • • • • • • • High & Verifiable Standards Credibility Transparency & Simplicity Voluntary Competency Scheme Adaptable Worldwide Create a true Profession of Mediators Benefit users & mediators alike March 2008 Background IMI will not be… • • • • • • a service provider (merely a competency certifier) competition for any provider or trainer a superior or “peak” body a replacement for anything existing now costly a threat to anyone (except the incompetent) March 2008 Background But IMI will… • make the task of identifying competent & suitable mediators much easier for users • enable competent mediators to be much more accessible and assessable to users • make governmental regulation less likely • forge true professional status for certified mediators • be voluntary, not mandatory • be a great marketing tool for competent mediators! March 2008 Background Chair of IMI’s Board Wolf von Kumberg Legal Director and Assistant General Counsel Northrop Grumman Corporation Executive Director Michael Leathes (pro bono) Operations Irena Vanenkova Centred in The Hague March 2008 Background • Consultation Period www.imimediation.org/?cID=feedback_digest Between April and September 2007, IMI began a global consultation process, inviting constituencies throughout the world to contribute comments and suggestions on how users of mediation services can simply assess the competency of mediators. • Two Certification Designations The consultation process resulted in IMI planning two distinct Certification Designations designed to help disputants and other users to assess an individual mediator’s practical competency and suitability: Professional Mediation Competency Certification Inter-Cultural Mediation Competency Certification March 2008 INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION INSTITUTE • Background • Competency Certification Proposal • Independent Standards Commission March 2008 Two Certification Designations • Professional Mediator Competency • Applicable everywhere; set at a high standard • Emphasis on Training, CPD & Feedback Digests • Intercultural Mediator Competency • Competency in Mediating Cross-Cultural Disputes • Professional Mediator Competency may be a Pre-requisite March 2008 Proposed Certification Scheme • IMI Assessed • Feedback Digest • Code of Ethical Conduct & Disciplinary Process • Output CPD Plan • IMI Certified • As above, plus: • Competency verified under test conditions • IMI Inter-Culturally Certified • As above, plus: • Competency verified under test conditions March 2008 Next Steps Independent Standards Commission review Significant improvements are probable The final scheme will be recommended to the IMI Board in mid-2008 Implementation before the end of 2008 INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION INSTITUTE • Background • Competency Certification Proposal • Independent Standards Commission March 2008 Independent Standards Commission • Chair - Prof Tommy Koh (Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large) • Vice Chair - Judith Meyer (International Mediator) • Vice Chair - Michael McIlwrath (International User) • 30 representatives of users, mediators, providers, educationalists, assessors & trainers from all around the world For a list of the ISC Members see: http://www.imimediation.org/?cID=isc_list March 2008 Commission’s Goals • Review the drafts and the comments received • Finalize a Competency Assessment Scheme • Ensure that the needs of the users of mediation services are fully addressed • Reflect the professional interests of mediators and mediation provider institutions • Set high but achievable standards based on tests and independent assessments and on user feedback (in digest format) March 2008 Summary • Two Certifications - Professional & Intercultural – Assessed & Certified • Simple, low cost, transparent Credits system • Self-administered by mediators • Common standards - adaptable globally • Details defined by Standards Commission • IMI will not be a service provider • Credible standards advance professional status March 2008 Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come Victor Hugo www.IMImediation.org March 2008