Mediator Training Program MAY 2024

The objective of the Mediator Training Program is to promote the knowledge and proper use of mediation through the tools, techniques, skills, and knowledge necessary to facilitate the achievement of agreements and consensus through the use of mediation.

• To enable the resolution of conflicts through the strengthening of Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods, especially mediation as a fast and effective mechanism for reaching agreements.
• To provide participants with a conceptual theoretical framework on mediation in order for them to have the necessary foundations to act as mediators.
• To understand the functioning of a mediation procedure.
• To develop and strengthen skills, tools, and techniques for the formulation and achievement of agreements.
• To enhance and develop skills for the management and resolution of conflicts through peaceful and harmony-restoring methods.
• To understand the legal aspects related to Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods, especially mediation.

METHODOLOGY

The Mediator Training Program consists of two stages. The first is a Course - Workshop with a duration of 80 practical-theoretical hours, of which 30% of the workload is devoted to theoretical topics and 70% to practical mediation approaches. The second stage consists of observing at least 5 real cases, for which participants have the option of either conducting the process independently at any registered Mediation Center, or conducting them at the Arbitration and Mediation Center of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, a process facilitated by the USFQ Continuing Education Department.

STAGE I: THEORETICAL COURSE ON MEDIATOR TRAINING (80 academic hours)

For the proper development of mediation skills, it is necessary to have both theoretical and practical elements. The trainers will give theoretical lectures and/or conferences, supported by PowerPoint presentations, videos, and whiteboard. During these presentations, interaction between participants and teachers, analysis, and discussion of theoretical topics will be promoted. Real case examples will be presented, facilitating the transfer of experiences. Each cycle will be complemented by practical and experiential work by participants, through activities such as case simulations, role-playing games, question workshops, communication strategies, socio-dramas, improvisations, etc. Of the total workload, 30% will correspond to theoretical topics and 70% to practical approaches.

A final evaluation will be conducted to measure the understanding of the topics taught during the training and to verify that participants, once the observations are completed, will have the necessary tools to effectively conduct mediations. The evaluation will take place at the end of the course and will consist of theoretical questions and mediation of practical cases. A minimum score of 80/100 is required to pass.

CERTIFICATE

In accordance with the academic regulations established by the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, the Mediation Center of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito will grant a certificate for having passed the Mediator Training Program to all participants who have achieved a score of 80 points in the final evaluation and have attended at least 80% of the workshop course. USFQ only certifies the academic learning of the participants.

If the minimum attendance requirements are not met, the Continuing Education Department may issue a certificate for the number of hours actually attended, but not one of approval. This implies that the participant must successfully complete the first stage (80 academic hours and pass the course with 80%) in order to advance to the second stage.

STAGE II: MEDIATION OBSERVATIONS (5 real mediation cases)

Those who pass the first stage of the Mediator Training Program may observe real cases at the Mediation Center of their choice or, alternatively, at the Arbitration and Mediation Center of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. The first process will be managed by each participant, while the second process will be managed by the USFQ Continuing Education Department.

If the participant decides to observe at another Mediation Center affiliated with the CJ, upon completion they will be subject to the conditions of each institution, however, they must receive a certificate/record detailing each observed case.

The following process applies to all participants, regardless of the Mediation Center in which they observed.

Obtaining the certificate of approval for 80 academic hours (Stage 1) endorsed by the Universidad San Francisco de Quito and the certificate/record documenting the completion of 5 observations validates you as a mediator. However, you cannot sign agreements until you are registered at a Mediation Center. Our certificates provide you with the support to accredit yourself through registration at a mediation center registered with the Judicial Council. This center must provide the participant with a record requesting affiliation to their center. With these three documents (certificate of 80 academic hours, certificate or record of completion of 5 observations, and center record for affiliation), the participant must approach the Judicial Council and request to be included in the official registry of accredited Mediators. If the participant is not affiliated or attached to a Mediation Center, they will not be authorized to mediate. If they wish to create their own Mediation Center, they must approach the Judicial Council to request this information.

Completing the Mediator Training Program or any of its stages does not imply a commitment on the part of the Arbitration and Mediation Center of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito to accredit the participant or include them in its official list of mediators, which will be done in accordance with the regulations established in the Regulations of the Arbitration and Mediation Center of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION CENTER - USFQ

For this purpose, the following methodology will be followed:

The USFQ Continuing Education Department will send the USFQ Arbitration and Mediation Center a list with the information of students who have completed stage I (along with a copy of the course approval certificate and copies of their colored ID cards). Upon requesting approval, the center's staff will contact each participant to notify them of the procedure to follow to conduct the 5 observations. It is the participant's responsibility to attend the assigned mediations. Upon completion of each mediation, the participant will meet with the mediator to discuss the tools and process implemented. Upon completion of the 5 observations, the center will deliver Annex 9, a document certifying that the mediator candidate completed the practical training stage.

The participant must cover the costs of the observations, which are (US$20 per observation, US$100 plus VAT if they perform all 5). Payment is made through a deposit or transfer to the accounts indicated below.

Once the payment is made, the participant must present the deposit receipt to the USFQ Arbitration and Mediation Center once the request sent has been approved. The observation of mediation hearings will be subject to the approval of the parties involved in the process and to the signing of the confidentiality agreement to be provided by the mediator in charge. Read the process that applies to all participants.

The USFQ Continuing Education Department will only facilitate the process of contacting the USFQ Arbitration and Mediation Center.