Mediation is used to deal with disturbances and difficult situations in neighbourhoods and communities. Mediation seeks solutions to improve peace, safety and well-being. Mediation can address issues such as disruptive behaviour in everyday life, conflicts in residential communities and breaches of rules. Mediators are impartial conflict resolution professionals who are bound by confidentiality.
Conflicts never emerge in large numbers, but they tend to expand and escalate if they are not resolved. Although it can be very difficult to break the cycle of conflict, it is always worthwhile to promote interaction that increases understanding.
Mediation tries to find a sufficient understanding of the starting point of the conflict, i.e. the situation from which the conflict started. What were the interpretations and feelings involved and how did they influence the new encounters? How did the case affect the parties and their interaction? Who all have been affected? How were things when they were good? What do the parties hope for from each other?
Since confusion is a difference of opinion, there is no single cause or truth to be found, but there are as many causes and truths as there are perspectives. Conflict resolution is not about assigning causes or blame, but about assuming that everyone is right in their own experience. The key is to broaden the perspective and build consensus.
Mediation aims to explore and talk openly about interpretations of the other. Never assume that the other person knows and understands - and never assume that the other person does not understand. The most important thing is that the parties meet and have a healthy interaction. Discussions usually resolve things. Resolution can happen when the encounter is genuine: given space, time and opportunity. It is important that people themselves have a say in the outcome.