Association for
Young Mediators
The Association for Young Mediators (AYM) aims to bring together young practising and newly trained mediators throughout the world. The AYM allows mediators to join with the aim that as an association it will allow young/new mediators a forum and network to exchange ideas, education and experiences.
A main aim of AYM is to promote mediation to the wider public, businesses and organisations from all sectors of the economy. AYM aims to make mediation mainstream in the UK and beyond, following the good habits learned from its worldwide neighbours establishing the profession as a recognised professional occupation. This will be carried out by building a strong organisation to promote the use and benefits of mediation by all. The AYM hopes that experienced mediators and providers from all backgrounds will join us to provide education, courses, workshops and a learning environment to allow the mediators of tomorrow to be masters of their profession. We cannot do much alone, but as a community we can allow mediation to change the world.
The association aims to allow young/new mediators a sounding board and forum to express views and opinions on the mediation establishment and profession. As an association we hope to reach mediation providers and organisations to support the future of the profession.
Mediation has many barriers to entry and as individuals it can often seem impossible to gain experience. With many newly trained and accredited mediators entering the profession every year it is important that the time and money invested is not wasted. It is easy for new mediators to become disheartened by what can be seemed a lack of support. While there are a number of mediators within the UK who are very pleased to help with assistantships and mentoring, there are many more newly trained mediators who are desperate to gain the required experience to be recognised in their own right.
An aim of the AYM is to eventually ensure that every time mediation takes place the lead mediator has an assistant present. In the words of David Richbell ‘most Mediators mediate alone and every time that happens it’s a missed opportunity.’[1] Unfortunately some mediators absolutely refuse to have assistants. The AYM believes this is a travesty as the only way newly trained mediators can gain experience is through assistantships. If some mediators ‘always’ have an assistant the question must be asked why doesn’t every mediator have an assistant? The truth is as individuals we have little or no chance of changing this habit, but as an association we hope to make sure those providers when asked to provide a mediator, that it is normal practice that an assistant is present.
This association is in its infancy and will only be realised by its membership. At present it is hosted within the website of its founder Paul Whittle @ www.paulwhittlemediation.co.uk , but in time hopefully it will have a stand alone site. You can also join the AYM on its LinkedIN group. To view commercial mediation training courses, workshops and events click on the 'Mediation Training' tab. The page has an interactive calender so you can see what is happening in the mediation training world. The calender will also feature negotiation and and other dispute resolution related courses. AYM are keen for training providers to contact us with details of their courses to add to the calender.
AYM looks forward to your input, thoughts, concerns and ideas. The mediation profession is a great one, anything worth having is never easy but as a group we have the power to make a difference and progress mediation into the future.
To make changes and progress we must as in the words of Mahatma Gandhi: YOU must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Please read this article titled Where in the world will mediation be in 10 years written by Michael Leathes - Director of the IMI (International Mediation Institute). This fascinating article is a blueprint for newly trained mediators to forge our future. We are the beginning.
AYM has great news. AYM has been included as a supporting organisation for the new Young Mediation Institute.
[1] http://mataw.essentialsystems.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/building-a-mediation-practice.pdf
How to get yourself those illusive assistantships and observations.
So the hard part is behind you, you’ve passed your assessment and now you’re an accredited mediator. Now all you need is to gain some experience!
Most training providers suggest that you contact experienced mediators, mediation providers, panels and community mediation organisations. What you must remember is there are some 40 mediation training providers in the UK. The main providers MATA, RICS, CIArb, CEDR, AdrGroup, LSM to name a few, each accredit approximately 30 commercial mediators per annum. It has been stated that there are some 6000 trained commercial mediators in the UK and some 20-30 full time commercial mediators! Therefore, the battle for assistantships and observations is a fierce one!
Networking! Find out where mediators are networking and meeting. There a number of breakfast clubs in London that offer the chance to meet experienced mediators. The clubs generally have a guest speaker and are great way of getting to know people in the field.[1]
Marketing materials! Get a smart, quality business card designed and printed. Business cards have two sides, so use them. A photograph on the card is a good idea as people will not forget your face six months later. A lot of people believe that you shouldn’t add photographs to CV’s and business cards, but I believe it makes you stand out and that’s what you need. A one-page electronic information sheet is useful as a follow up for any contacts you meet.[2]
Contact mediation providers by email, introduce yourself and explain that you’re looking for assistantships/observations. Don’t send one; send a couple per month at least to all the providers. Many providers will pick the assistant because they were the last to email, makes sense rather than fishing through hundreds of emails finding the first! Therefore, email them regularly.
Email experienced mediators but remember everyone else will too, so don’t expect a response, sometimes at all. That’s why it’s preferential if you can meet them in person, better chance of bending their arm.
Community mediation organisations are a fantastic way of keeping your newly trained skills sharp and gaining experience. Community mediation is very challenging, but enjoyable. Many of the best commercial mediators are actively involved with community mediation projects in the UK. Most major towns and cities have their own organisations and offer free training and events, plus they have other areas that are very interesting such as restorative justice and peer mediation projects.
Keep aware of conferences, events and meetings that are taking place and make sure you get to them. Stay positive, it’s really tough, but anything worthwhile is to begin with. Hopefully you’ll stay motivated long enough to see the benefits in the future. Mediation is a fantastic profession and a life changing experience, so stick with it.
Good luck.
Paul Whittle
Commercial Mediator and Founder of AYM (Association for Young Mediators)
paul@paulwhittlemediation.co.uk
www.paulwhittlemediation.co.uk
[1] http://www.paulwhittlemediation.co.uk/mediatiors-networking-events
[2] http://home.btconnect.com/davidrichbell/Papers/files/building-a-mediation-practice.pdf
AYM Branch in Egypt
The AYM is very proud to announce the establishment of the AYM branch in Egypt. AYM has proudly appointed Medhat El-Banna as Chairman.
Medhat is a Counselor, Arbitrator and International Lawyer, Medhat is also the Head of the Board of Directors of North Egypt Chamber for Dispute Resolution (NECDR).
Medhat has already being doing sterling work to raise the profile of the AYM in Egypt.
Please visit this link to view the AYM members in Egypt:
AYM branch in Egypt
North Egypt Chamber for Dispute Resolution (NECDR)
Medhat El-Banna
91 Mubarak El-Seteen
New Damietta, Damietta, Egypt
Tel: 201007625823
