Olivier Masson
11 Avril 2007
interview
Port Louis — You are this morning at the US embassy leading a round table with journalists on "Conflict resolution & Consensus building: the Media perspective." Can you speak of that meeting?
I am a facilitator and mediator invited through the US speaker program by the US Department of State. With knowledge of interpersonal, cross-cultural, and nonverbal communication issues, I am aiming to meet representatives of the press with the angle of the mediator, who treats issues by separating the individuals from the problems. Of course, as a newcomer, I am considering members of the press as the specialists and I am eager to hear them expose the various issues that concern them. I have worked at community development experience level with emphasis on educational, social, and economic empowerment. As such, I have developed productive relationships with community leaders and work colleagues.
Can you explain the task of a mediator?
He assists in negotiations and conflict resolution as a neutral party. Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution that aims to assist disputants in reaching an agreement. The agreement is determined by the parties themselves rather than being imposed by a third party. I am not there to give solutions but to favour an outcome that does not make one party happier at the expense of the other. We can understand the value of such a role in our modern world, with its needs for adressing problems without sacrifying peacemaking.
How do you obtain that win-win situation?
Mediation works purely through facilitation: the practitioner has no advisory role. Instead, a mediator seeks to help parties to develop a shared understanding of the conflict and to work towards building a practical and lasting resolution.
What techniques do you employ?
I have to listen much. I have been inspired by the works of Fisher and Ury, notably Getting to yes. This book explains that a good agreement is one, which is wise and efficient and which improves the parties' relationship. Mediators use appropriate techniques and skills to open, improve dialogue between disputants, aiming to help the parties reach an agreement (with concrete effects) on the disputed matter. Normally, all parties must view the mediator as impartial. Mediation can apply in a variety of disputes. These include commercial, legal, diplomatic, workplace, community and divorce or other family matters.
Can you talk about your experience?
I worked near the frontier between the US and Mexico, dealing with issues related to clashes of different communities. I also went to Uganda and Kenya, where I was involved in conflict resolution. My tasks have been various. As a lead facilitator in a City of Albuquerque Land-Use Dispute Resolution Program, I was responsible for contacting all stakeholders, setting up the meetings, facilitating, and produ- cing a final report for the city's planning department. Meetings range from 15 to 100 people and often involve contentious issues, including the building of a Wal-Mart in a largely residential area and a proposal by a developer whose previous proposal for the same site is currently in litigation.
In what fields can a mediator intervene?
I am specailisted in transformational mediation, which involves much human relationship. Other types of mediation include transactional mediation, for corporates. Mediators can also intervene in family disputes, where they are a much cheaper solution than going to the Court. They have also a different approach as they are not paid by any of the parties involved and act as a neutral third party. But, as such, even if the mediator is better regarded than long ago, his impartiality is sometimes questioned. Some people want also to involve third parties that they can fully trust as these are close to them - and that may give them a little adavantage. But, as already said, the mediator aims to make each party equal and not an issue that makes the other part unhappy.
How much does it cost to have a mediator?
Non transactional mediators can even be benevolent. Corporate mediators, who work in companies, are more expensive. The mediator, who is a western version of the negotiator or wise man we still find in some villages, is most valued in a society where people don't avoid problems.
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