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CONTACT: By Lisa Murad FSU TO HONOR TRADITION OF CELEBRATING MEDIATION DAY TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida and Florida State University have long been leaders in promoting mediation as a means of conflict resolution. This year the week of Oct. 12 – 18 is Mediation Week in Florida, and Thursday, Oct. 16, is Mediation Day at FSU. The university will celebrate Mediation Day with two special programs. Mediation helps curtail disputes and reduce anxiety with the participation of a trained, impartial facilitator. The concept allows for individuals to play a significant role in determining the resolution of their own predicament, an aspect of mediation many find appealing and empowering. FSU strives to educate students by means of non-confrontational methods of problem solving, said Mediation Day organizers. “The mediator has no authority to impose solutions or to judge the dispute -- he or she is there to help the parties explore possible ways of resolving their own differences,” said event co-coordinator, Mary Wilkes. “Mediation empowers participants. People are more likely to be satisfied with a mediated agreement than with a judge’s decision. Everyone thinks their case will prevail when they go to court, but the truth is that only 50 percent prevail -- the other half lose. About 90 percent of mediated agreements are kept, much higher than the percentage of compliance with court decisions.” FSU’s day of recognition takes place in concert with events being held around the world on Conflict Resolution Day, created by the Association for Conflict. Resolution in order to increase public awareness about alternative means of resolving disputes. It is celebrated annually on the third Thursday in October. For more information about Conflict Resolution Day see www.acrnet.org/crday. Mediation Day events include: Thursday, Oct. 16: • 12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. -- The College of Law (Room 102) is hosting a lunchtime event consisting of a classroom demonstration of negotiation/arbitration/mediation followed by lunch. Stephen Cheeseman, an alumnus of the College of Law and an avid supporter of mediation, will be speaking. Students from the main campus who are involved in dispute resolution classes are encouraged to attend. • 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. -- FSUS is hosting a training activity for peer mediators conducted by FSU’s Student Mediation Club in which they will facilitate interactive, cooperative games in addition to an empathy activity. ### |