IMI Mediator Competency Standards
22nd October 2008
The International Mediation Institute (IMI) has recently set out its mediator standards and certification programme. The IMI has been created as an international public policy initiative.
The IMI sets out two standards. A global standard applicable to general mediation practice. A specific set of standards relating to intercultural competency where disputes relate to differing cultures.
Whilst the backdrop to the IMI and the organisational make-up seem to largely reflect the civil & commercial mediation sector, the standards are bringing new life to what familiar territory. The standards of reframing and reality checking find themselves in new company. Notable criteria that spark a difference include
- Empathy
- Relationship-building and facilitating communication
- Process flow and management
- Relationship management, Personal interaction and rapport
- Management of emotion
The standards take a broad approach: looking at training, compliance, experience and leadership. At present there is a rush on standards, regulation and control. It is hoped that this can only be good for the sector and the mediation user. In the current climate these standards bring a welcome breadth and depth.
