The CMC Joins International Panel at Belgian Federal Mediation Commission Conference
The CMC Joins International Panel at Belgian Federal Mediation Commission Conference
CMC Deputy Chair Nicolas Fournier represented the CMC at a conference organised by the Belgian Federal Mediation Commission in Brussels. Alongside mediators from Belgium and France, he took part in an international panel comparing mediation practice across the three countries.
Last week, CMC Deputy Chair Nicolas Fournier represented the CMC at a conference organised by the Belgian Federal Mediation Commission in Brussels.
Nicolas joined an international panel with Belgian mediator Marco Schoups and French mediator Bertrand Delcourt to compare mediation practice across the three countries. Held in Dutch, French and English, the discussion explored four questions, with live polling of the 175 mediators in the room:
1. What is the objective of mediation: restoring relationships or making a deal?
2. What is most effective: split the parties in private meetings / caucuses or to keep them together in plenary sessions?
3. Does having access to preparatory documents (position statements, bundle, etc…) help to preserve the neutrality of the mediator or just the opposite?
4. How long should the mediation process last? Is the UK model of Mediation Day a good practice ?
In his conclusions, Peter Coene, President of the Belgian Federal Mediation Commission, remarked: “Looking beyond the borders also remains enriching. Nicolas Fournier and Bertrand Delcourt took us to the mediation practice in France and Great Britain. Inspiring, recognisable and sometimes surprisingly different.”
Thank you to the Belgian Federal Mediation Commission for the invitation.
