The CRC team understands that without the process of mediation, which includes the listening and understanding of the needs of others and finding paths to reach win - win solutions, conflicts would remain unsolvable between individuals, and certainly between countries.
Over the past few months, 13 students of EMIS took on a mediation course and they all successfully finished the course and were awarded their junior mediation certificate on April 15th. In this unique collaboration between The Charney Resolution Center, EMIS and Gome-Gevim mediation company the students completed 30 academic hours in which they were trained in the art of conflict resolution and mediation.
Especially during these times, where conflicts surround us and are constantly present in our community, we hope that the young mediators will use their newfound skills for positive change.
Limor Sessler, the mediation instructor, guided the students on this transformative journey, on this journey since September. Now, as we reached the end of the course we asked her to reflect on the experience. How was it to train students who are devoted to conflict resolution as well as the importance of the mediation skills during these difficult times.
Limor Sessler, Meditation Instructor, “Mediation is a conflict resolution method that provides a neutral forum for parties in conflict to express their stand-points, feelings and unique needs, and encourages them to cooperatively negotiate a win-win solution. The mediation process focuses on the future and the relationship between the parties, and offers an applicable and efficient tool for conflict resolution, as well as a way of life.
The "Junior Mediators" course is based on those concepts and tools. During the course the students gained important skills, such as active listening, cooperation mindset vs. competition mindset, expressing thoughts & needs, asking questions, understanding different perspectives, reaching win-win solutions and more, as well as understanding the mediation process.
It has been a wonderful experience for me teaching the course "Junior Mediators" for the second time at EMIS. I met dedicated and motivated students who were eager to learn and enrich their skill set. The skills they learned will enable the students to help other students resolve conflicts and issues that arise in their daily lives, but will also enrich their communication skills in general in other aspects of life.
I believe that it's important to teach young students these skills and communication values so those can be part of the way the students shape their perspective and way of behaviour. Especially during difficult and tense times like these, it's even more meaningful and important to be able to listen to different perspectives and ideas, as well as effectively express them, and try to find a mutual path to cooperate and work together.”
We would also like to share our students’ testimonies, who showed dedication and commitment throughout the whole process.
Nicole Muthoni Wanjiku, DP1 “Throughout mediation I learned a lot about different conflicts and different methods of resolving conflicts through mediation and even some without. I not only learned this, but to be more attentive to what people say and respond rather than react. I have been able to use what I learned in this course in my day to day life and I have been able to better communicate and understand people. The activity I remember the most is the one of the lifeboat and to save people you had to ask them what you wanted them to do, which seems like a very obvious thing to do but apparently it actually isn't. I will definitely be using what I learned from that activity and the many activities and simulations we did and use it in my day to day life.”
Matan Gal, Pre - DP, “The mediation course was interesting and useful, I learned the procedure of mediation, and some useful skills for life like active listening. Limor the teacher was very good and the classes included simulations which were especially important for our practical understanding of the process.”
On behalf of EMIS and the CRC, we would like to congratulate the students for completing this process! We are so proud of each and every one of you, and are certain that your efforts will truly impact the EMIS community for the better.