In this session, the presenter discusses how diversity issues may impact the mediation process causing communication interruption and placing any hope for resolution in jeopardy; presenter looks at the impact of parties’ and /or mediator’s cultural background on negotiation styles and offers suggestions for developing the cultural competence necessary to mediate successfully.

Topics discussed:
 The impact of parties’ and /or mediator’s cultural background on negotiation styles
 Suggestions for developing the cultural competence necessary to mediate successfully
 Diversity as a broad concept, not limited to race, religion or color
 Diversity intelligence
 Generalizations – helpful or not
 Suggestions on how to successfully manage the variety of cultural and diversity issues in mediation
 The role and obligations of parties and mediator(s) during the mediation conference
 “Them” or “they” – causes of mistrust