Mediation Initial Level - English language
ITC supports national initiatives to reform trade regulatory frameworks and optimize dispute resolution services provided to SMEs. By helping countries to provide time and cost-efficient commercial dispute resolution mechanism and enhancing the legal frameworks and enhancing legal capacities for export, ITC contributes to reduce cost and delays of cross-border and domestic operations and improves private sector competitiveness.
Specifically, among the intervention themes ITC supports the promotion and development of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms for commercial matters in selected sectors. The programme aims to improve the business climate through mediation for commercial transactions in the agricultural sector in general and targeted value chains, and thereby encourage investment and economic peace in general. Mediation -being a crucial ingredient of commercial contract management- increases trust and promotes the increase in the activity of SMEs, by securing commercial operations and reducing costs in the event of commercial disputes. Indeed, the non-judicial resolution of commercial conflicts offers companies an effective and cost-effective alternative to litigation, under conditions of independence, impartiality and confidentiality, conducive to the business climate. Mediation and ADR can have greater impact in reducing conflicts among local communities.
The general purpose of this introductory training is enlarge globally the culture of ADR and to support Mediation and Arbitration Centres and professionals in the area of dispute resolution to provide time and cost efficient dispute resolution services for small and medium enterprises. The course responds to growing demand in developing and least developed economies for affordable ADR services, and is designed to provide access to specialized resources on mediation, using an effective e-learning methodology, in addition to complementary resources for each selected topic. This course is the first step for a full certified training on mediation, which needs to be tailored to national legal and programmatic specificities.