FOI Alyson Carrel (Northwestern) and LCSW Jasmine Atwell (Loyola ‘JD22) recently discussed Sharon Press and Ellen Deason’s new article, “Mediation: Embedded Assumptions of Whiteness?,” published in the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution (and available on SSRN). Press and Deason’s article explores concepts from the book, Me and White Supremacy, as applied to the practice, process, and structure of mediation.

Growing up is complicated enough on its own. Having parents divorce can make it even harder. To avoid the psychological effects of divorce on children, parents should go through the process gracefully.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed numerous areas of our lives, including education. Both teachers and students were forced to leave their regular classroom environment and switch to distance learning. Fortunately, apps like Zoom and many other solutions make it possible for students and teachers to collaborate and talk to each other in real-time.

Because there is so much power in our words, we can use them to do a whole lot of good particularly when we are working as professional mediators.  Here are six practices to harness the power of the words we speak in mediation.

The common attribution to the word ‘Mediator’ is one who is neutral, one helps to resolve or one who helps to balance the power to create a space for negotiation and navigate through barriers created by perspectives. A mediator, like a gladiator, is trained to handle ‘weapons.’

In preparation for the next international meeting on climate change in Glasgow in November 2021, it is important to begin thinking together, not only about outcomes, but ways of improving the process of meeting, discussing, and negotiating agreements on climate change.