Role play by resource persons will give an insight to the participants about practical nuances of mediation. Some may emulate it by observing the mediator ( one of the resource persons). The participants may also learn how each of the resource persons stepped into the roles of the parties during the role play, how each of the resource persons took leap into that role’s life and how the role play looked like a real life situation. How each of the resource persons was serious about the individual role and responsibilities.
However many times, the above aspects or many other aspects may not have been observed or noticed by the trainees. Some aspects which needed complete attention may have been just ignored. It is under these circumstances the de briefing by another resource person regarding the role play enacted by the resource persons, finds its importance.
Debriefing should go in a systematic manner.
The trainer who does the debriefing must have watched everything that goes on in the role play demonstration meticulously.
It is always desirable that one who was not one of the participants in the roleplay, does the debriefing.
The resource person playing the role of mediator may have used several techniques which are yet to be introduced to the trainees, or may have used the techniques that are already introduced to the trainees. The debriefing trainer has to bring back/refresh the trainees, about concepts/techniques/skills which were introduced to them in the earlier theory session/s, and make them understand how well the concept/technique or skill was used by the mediator. Regarding the skills /techniques that are not yet introduced to the trainees, the debriefing trainer may name those/label those and tell the trainees that these concepts/techniques/skills will be introduced into the forthcoming session/s. However it is ideal no to touch upon those, but leave it to be revisited by the faculty dealing with theoretical aspects.
Example of debriefing
- Please recollect:
- How the mediator was using different tones, while giving the opening statement? Mediator did this… this..
- Did you notice how the mediator controlled the emotional outbursts of the plaintiff?
- Let us visualize how the mediator controlled the language used by the advocate representing the defendant?
- Did you notice how the mediator used the technique of reflection while doing the restatement ?
- Did you notice how the mediator reiterated some of the ground rules when the plaintiff was violating the same?
- Did you notice that the mediator was not asking one question after the other but was waiting for the other person to complete, then frame the question, pause , and then only ask the question?
The above are some examples of in debriefing a proper connection is brought between theory and practical by the trainer who is doing debriefing.
De briefing may also have to be done about the roles played by other participants in the role play. What was the challenge thrown by a given participant to the mediator ?
Debriefing is not repeating verbatim what all the mediator did.
It should not be lengthy.
It should be done in single or two liners.
It should come in a chronological manner, one after the other, from the beginning till the end.
“I am into emulation, not imitation.”
Chuck Inglish
American Rapper
Training of Trainers in Mediation 
Thanks ma’am for the very useful tips. Role plays are so important in a mediation training programme … help the participants understand the concept and techniques better … and debriefing is an important training skill. Thank you
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