School Mediation and Social Dialogue in School

Erasmus+ Cre@t1ve Conflict Resolution and Peer-to-Peer School Mediation

School Mediation

• School Mediation is a method used to prevent violence in schools, by managing conflicts between students.
• It is a process through which older students, who have been trained in this technique by their teachers, use mediation to solve disputes and differences between their classmates.

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• It is clear that this method contributes to the empowerment of students when dealing with conflicts (both inside and outside of school):
• to the strengthening of relationships and more generally
• to the creation of a :

• healthy,
• safe,
• positive and
• more democratic environment, based as it is on:
• empathy,
• active listening and
• dialogue.

• My focus will be on Dialogue, which is at the heart of this mobility;
• a term that is often used, but rarely understood in depth.

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• Dialogue is defined as an exchange between two or more people or groups, ranging in purpose from a simple conversation and exchange of information and ideas on a particular subject, to a more in-depth investigation and search for truth and resolution.

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• It is the most basic form of human communication, requiring the interaction of question and answer, and therefore debate.
• Not as a battle of words or dispute, but rather aiming to clearly define goals, and promote genuine cooperation.

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Α. Within this framework, the Mediation-Mediator can help a parent and their adolescent child resolve some of their issues, identifying appropriate counselling services and support programs designed for young people.

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B. Additionally, a Mediator will never refuse to discuss or explain the complications which may arise when, for example, a school council is requested to keep a school open on the weekend, to allow children access to its facilities.

• Instead, an effective approach must be found to clarify issues such as:

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• Otherwise, we run the risk of not reaching an agreement, simply because one party does not understand the limitations restricting the other.

• Therefore, Social Dialogue is a fundamental component of the social model, particularly the European model. It allows social partners, representing both management and the workforce, to actively contribute to social and employment policy.

• Social Dialogue is the ideal consultation tool, as it ensures the inclusion of different opinions and proposals in the decision-making process.

Therefore, as a result of consultation:

• the input of the partners improves the quality of the decisions made
• both sides are better able to understand the goals and issues underlying the decisions, exchanging information and experiences

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• the participation of the social partners prevents delays and decreases implementation costs
• the public’s trust in the decision-making process is increased
• the decision-making process becomes more democratic, empowering the social partners to affect decisions which concern them.

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• I will conclude with an observation made by Zeno of Citium (334-262 BC), the founder of the Stoic School of Philosophy, which I hope will both make you smile, and provide food for thought:

• “We have two ears, but only one mouth: so that we may listen more and speak less.”