The effect of community mediations in the practice through an analysis of two municipal case studies

This study presents the continuously spreading municipal mediation in Hungary through two community mediations as good practice. It analyses theoretical and practical course of proceedings in community decision-making processes. It presents each practical phase of community mediations, analysing the practical effects of them. It compares them with other forms of decision-making, highlighting clear advantages of community mediation both for the leadership and the given community. Through presenting the process of two case studies, two model projects are analysed in details from the perspective of the municipal decision-making organs, civil organisations and the local population. In both presented cases different problems of the community are solved through the same process protocol.

Community mediation

<p>This paper outlines the successful development of the traditional mediation template into a community‐based model. The history of community mediation is explored within the context of the United States in the 1960s, and in Australia and New Zealand during the mid‐1980s. Recent developments in New Zealand – with particular emphasis on the promising developments occurring in Christchurch, Waitakere and Dunedin – are evaluated, though this paper acknowledges that there are limited statistics available since these schemes have only been running for a few years at most. Finally this paper takes three foundation models first postulated by Harrington and Merry, and later by Bush and Folger, and applies these models to the existing New Zealand community mediation schemes to evaluate their success.</p>

Community mediation

<p>This paper outlines the successful development of the traditional mediation template into a community‐based model. The history of community mediation is explored within the context of the United States in the 1960s, and in Australia and New Zealand during the mid‐1980s. Recent developments in New Zealand – with particular emphasis on the promising developments occurring in Christchurch, Waitakere and Dunedin – are evaluated, though this paper acknowledges that there are limited statistics available since these schemes have only been running for a few years at most. Finally this paper takes three foundation models first postulated by Harrington and Merry, and later by Bush and Folger, and applies these models to the existing New Zealand community mediation schemes to evaluate their success.</p>

The Interim Evaluation of Training Processes: The Case of the Second Level Professional Master’s Program in Family and Community Mediation

This contribution illustrates the training evaluation system developed within the Master’s Program in Family and Community Mediation at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. This is an interim evaluation which focuses on the training process and which considers the collaboration with the subjects of the training to be fundamental. The peculiarity of this work concerns the possibility of inserting research within the training process, following a logic of mutual enrichment both in terms of content and learning. The contribution illustrates in detail the outcome and the process evaluation system, defining the perspective, the objectives, and the methodology of implementation. In particular, the outcome evaluation focuses on the distal and proximal outcomes of the training, while the process analysis focuses on the dynamics within the group of participants. Preliminary findings from 33 participants highlighted that the majority of participants (19) have a “regular” profile, that is, they appreciate both the theoretical contents, as well as the practical activities proposed during the training program. As for the process, the findings showed the importance of reflexivity as a major factor of change. Although these findings are referred to the specific experience of a particular group, and so further evaluations involving different training groups and other training processes are needed, this training evaluation system sheds light on both the topic and the context in which training is delivered. The integration between different points of view and several levels of analysis allows the researchers to deepen the individual path of each participant as well as to obtain feedbacks on the progress of the training group as a whole and allows participants to better understand their contexts of work thanks to the use of reflexivity. This can guarantee a sustainable growth both at individual and interpersonal level.

Relevance of social and community mediation for health, in processes of reinsertion of people with addictive behaviors and dependencies (ABD)

Background The knowledge of the importance of intervention in the reintegration of people with addictive behaviors and dependencies (ABD), combined with the complexity of the process and the multiplicity of associated factors (SICAD, 2014), has motivated a study developed on social and community mediation, through a interinstitutional collaboration of seven public entities, linking the academy to entities that intervene in the field of health (SICAD, in press). This paper aims to explore and disseminate some of the research results, reflecting on the importance of social intervention in the global health of the citizen. Methods This research was carried out according to a mixed case study plan (multi-case and multi-perspective), which involved reinsertion professionals, people with ABD, families and other stakeholders, in a total of 18 cases, 51 interviews and 21 questionnaires. It has a national scope and combines the descriptive component with the analytical and reflective component. Results Crossing the mapping of the diagnosed problems with the results and impacts of the developed intervention, which translate into changes perceived by the interviewees in several areas, it is possible to explore axes of the effectiveness of the intervention implemented in the reinsertion process. Conclusions The results show a high level of effectiveness (individual, family and community level), which goes beyond the changes in the scope of dependencies and affects the various areas of life of the citizen. The developed intervention generated impacts felt in the health level by the interviewees as positive and allowed to modify the fragile conditions that were identified in the diagnosis.

The Interim Evaluation of Training Processes: The Case of the Second Level Professional Master’s Program in Family and Community Mediation

This contribution illustrates the training evaluation system developed within the Master&rsquo;s Program in Family and Community Mediation at Universit&agrave; Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. This is an interim evaluation, which focuses on the training process and which considers fundamental the collaboration with the subjects of the training. The peculiarity of this work concerns the possibility of inserting research within the training process, following a logic of mutual enrichment both in terms of content and learning. The contribution illustrates in detail the outcome and the process evaluation system, defining the perspective, the objectives, and the methodology of implementation. In particular, the outcome evaluation focuses on the distal and proximal outcomes of the training, while the process analysis focuses on the dynamics within the group of participants. Although further evaluations involving different training groups and other training processes are needed, this training evaluation system allows to shed light on both the topic and the context in which training is delivered. The integration between different points of view and several levels of analysis allows the researchers to deepen the individual path of each participant as well as to have feedbacks on the progress of the training group as a whole.

Educational Counseling and Temporary Language Adaptation Classrooms: A Study through In-Depth Interviews

This article aims to show the role of educational counselors both as promoters of cultural management and as mentors for attention to diversity. A qualitative methodology and ethnographic approach have been implemented. In-depth interviews with counsellors from schools in the provinces of Huelva and Cadiz (Spain) have been analyzed in order to pinpoint their perceptions regarding the educational attention that immigrant students receive and the opportunities that are generated from the temporary language adaptation classrooms and school counseling for the promotion of intercultural education. After the qualitative analysis, this classroom stands out as an essential device in the educational response received by these students. The main outcomes also show that the educational counselor is a key figure in the processes of educational attention to immigrant students, although they are faced with some challenges that remain pending in this process. These professionals assume the role of advisers, guides, coordinators, and promoters in the preparation of cultural proposals and actions. Their work is equally relevant in family–school–community mediation and in the positive promotion of intercultural coexistence. The discussion focuses on knowing the importance of intercultural education in schools as a response to the principle of “educating for all,” taking advantage of the educational context as a privileged setting to work on cultural diversity. This task must be carried out by the counselor in collaboration with the principals, families, other teachers, educators, and other agents. The research underlines the difficulties counselors face when implementing inclusive collaborative processes, while identifying them as key agents due to their pivotal role in the positive management of diversity.

Mediation Practices in Post-Conflict Situation in Nepal: The Way Forward

This paper aims to critically examine the increasing role of community mediation in the post-conflict situation in Nepal. The practice of community mediation at the professional level is in a preliminary stage in Nepal. Regardingthe peace settlement process and the state of community mediation in different countries, various efforts have been made in Nepal regarding community mediation. The country is gradually advancing towards community mediation practices in ensuring access to justice. Community mediation has been practiced for resolving disputes or conflict through the judicial committees (JCs) formed under the local government. The practices of conflicts or disputes resolution through community mediation have begun in Nepal at the individual or family level, school or community level, or at workplace. It is, therefore, vital to prevent the recurrence of conflicts or disputes through community mediation to ensure sustainable peace. Various efforts have been made to build the capacity of individuals and agencies to settle disputes and to ensure mutual trust and cooperation in Nepal. In the changing context, confronting COVID 19, building awareness, providing education and training to the mediators for community mediation is vital to execute JC practice in Nepal. Community mediation as an important aspect in ensuring sustainable peace in the spirit of the local government act is, therefore, very essential in Nepal.

Environmental Pollution Control in Singapore: The Intersection of Torts, Statutes, Regulations and Community Norms

Singapore is a land-scarce, densely populated, urbanized and technology-driven society. Despite her image as a clean and green environment, serious challenges remain to keep environmental pollution at bay. Both private and public laws, whether based on statutes or common law, as well as a host of regulations and community norms collectively regulate environmental pollution in Singapore. Statutory provisions targeting environmental pollution rely on criminal punishment, administrative measures and also compensatory damages awarded to victims in the event of breaches of specified statutory duties. The Environmental Pollution Control Act 1999, together with the implementing subsidiary legislation, seeks to minimise or mitigate the effects of air, water and noise pollution. Government agencies adopt preventive, monitoring and/or enforcement measures backed by a plethora of statutes, regulations, international standards relating to environmental pollution. More recently, the enforcement of environmental pollution measures have extended, with the enactment of the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014, to combatting environmental pollution arising from the region. Further, the common law torts of nuisance, negligence and the rule in Rylands v Fletcher exist at common law to compensate the victims for the loss suffered arising from activities resulting in environmental pollution. The goals of enhancing environmental consciousness through public education and community efforts have also been emphasised in Singapore. Nevertheless, community mediation efforts have been supplemented by the establishment of Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals to deal with complaints by neighbours of smoke, smells, and littering in the vicinity of the complainants’ place of residence.