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TOT 212-WEEK 212
Facilitation
(Note: The objective of this weekly blog is to assist the trainers involved in mediation training to strengthen their training skills)
“Facilitation in Mediation”.Mediation being a process of facilitation, it is necessary that the concept of facilitation is introduced to the participants in thei ntial stages of training and keep strengthening it through various refresher and advanced courses .
Trainer can use this Facilitation as a technique during the training process, to (i) invite diversified views on a given topic (ii) understand the level of comprehension of the participants (iii) to involve all the participants in training activity (iv) understand the capacity of transference of the participants.
How is this done:
Intrdocution:– Trainer has to introduce a topic in a neutral manner which may have multiple views.
Questioning:- Trainer has to start asking questions to get answers from each and every person in the training room.
Questions have to be preferably closed ended .
(Caution should be taken that the answer does not go beyond two sentences)
Trainer may have to be prepared with several questions, to be asked very quickly , one after the other , so that every one is on the toes..
Without losing the objective of the exercise ,the questions have to be well chosen, and have to be meaningful, and leading the trainees to answers.
Recording the answers:
Trainer has to draw two or three columns . ( Using Flip chart/ White board – marker etc)
Start noting down the answers in a short form , one below the other.
Conclusion
Trainer has to sum up all the views expressed by all the participants , under different heads , and give a concluding remark, which again will have to be a neutral and yert complete in essence.
Preparation:
Trainer must have a list of topics thoughtfully chosen for facilitation
Example:
- Is it necessary for the mediator to disclose the confidential information to the other party , just because permission is given by a party to divulge the same?
- Can mediator give proposal?
- Should mediator do mediation with the children also in child custody matters?
Debriefing:
Trainer has to explain to the participants, how this concept of facilitation can be imported into actual mediations?
How a mediator has to invite differing views from the same group /or both groups of parties and note down and summarise at the end, and leave the option open to each party to take decision., can be highlighted by the trainer.
Ex(1) : In a suit for specific performance, whether one should accept (a) refund of money with interest etc or (b) insist upon sale of land.
- Collect the views regarding advantages and disadvantages of option (a)
- Collect the advantages and disadvantages of option (b)
Note it down, and place it before the party
Ex(2) : Is it appropriate to enter into settlement?
“The primary work of the facilitator is done in silence, and to the untrained eye it may look as if the facilitator is not doing naything at all.”
Excerpts from the book “The Art of Facilitation “ by Dale Hunter- Canadian Professional Ice Hockey player and Coach – as noted down by RJT Chapman- Facilitator
(All copyrights reserved by the author S.Susheela)
Training of Trainers in Mediation 