Mediation

Pacific Resolutions mediates the big issues, from international water treaties to major industrial proposals with environmental and reconciliation implications. We help conflicting parties navigate the politics necessary to reach enduring agreements.

Setting up a successful dialogue can be surprisingly difficult, especially if the topics of discussion are personal or emotional, as they often are. A neutral third-party can help facilitate communication and problem-solving. That’s where we come in. Pacific Resolutions has decades of experience mediating between people in conflict. By impartially leading and managing negotiation processes, we help groups find constructive and innovative solutions to seemingly intractable issues. 

Our systematic and structured approach proceeds through a sequence of critical steps that move all parties from determining whether constructive problem-solving is appropriate and feasible, to collaborative problem-solving and the implementation of mutually-beneficial outcomes. Our mediation services cover the following steps, delivered as a package or individually:

Conflict Assessment

First we conduct extensive research and analysis of the situation, including analyses of:

• Issues that need to be addressed and their negotiability

• Parties – stakeholder mapping (interests, readiness, capacity, etc.)

• Policy context – gaps, constraints, etc.

• Political context – destabilizing factors

• Cultural factors

• Identification of process design parameters

Process Design

When people don’t trust each other, they at least need to trust the process. When we design a negotiation process we:

• Develop terms of reference, ground rules, work plans, representation models and broader public participation requirements

• Consult with participants regarding process design

• Handle external communications and advise on media relations

• Prepare materials for convening

Convening

With an understanding of the situation and a process developed, we initiate the process by:

• Facilitating agreement between the parties on the process design

• Providing training to orient the participants to the process and reinforce an effective interest-based approach

Building Agreement

With the process endorsed by the parties, we mediate negotiations toward an agreement. This involves:

• Facilitating meetings

• Mediating difficult issues

• Providing shuttle diplomacy

• Managing a rolling draft agreement

• Working with parties together and separately (in confidence) to ensure issues, interests and key information are clearly understood and the full range of options is considered.

• Facilitating public communications and involvement, including media relations

• Assisting with constituency communications and feedback

• Finalizing agreements and ensuring implementation requirements are addressed

• Designing and coordinating ratification processes

Implementation

Ratification of an agreement is often just the beginning of a longer process of implementation. We support implementation by:

• Facilitating the establishment of implementation mechanisms and processes

• Assisting with the design of pragmatic monitoring and evaluation systems

Alternative Dispute Resolution

In addition to designing and implementing collaborative problem solving and negotiation processes, Pacific Resolutions also provides other alternative dispute resolution services including:

• Assessment and design of alternative dispute resolution systems

• Arbitration services