About Scottish Mediation Network

The Scottish Mediation Network is a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland, Company No. SC258173, and recognised as a charity by the Inland Revenue.

Our Vision

We are working to embed mediation into the way that conflict and disputes of all forms are handled in Scotland.

Mediation is a process in which disputing parties seek to resolve their differences in a mutually acceptable way with the assistance of a trained mediator acting as an impartial third party.

Our Values

We value:

• working together collaboratively
• mutual respect
• clear and open communication
• voluntary participation
• an inclusive Network and
• financial prudence

Our Purpose

The Objects clause of the Scottish Mediation Network’s Memorandum of Association states, in summary, that we aim:

To promote mediation and other related forms of conflict management for the benefit of the public, individuals and society in Scotland and elsewhere and:

• to encourage awareness, understanding and appropriate use of mediation;
• to support and promoteeducation, training and research in skills and best practice in the use of mediation;
• to create and encourage links among the various fields of mediation; and
• to promote and organise standards of professional conduct and training.

Scottish Government Funded Projects

The Scottish Government have agreed to fund the following projects during the period 1 st September 2005 to 31 st March 2008 and, subject to evaluation and funding priorities, for a further year until March 2009.

• Devise a quality assurance solution for mediation in Scotland
• Provide active support for volunteers working in initiative groups and liaison groups
• Devise a strategy for public awareness and understanding of mediation
• Facilitate and arrange mediation awareness workshops and presentations around Scotland
• Support local government to devise and implement strategies to integrate mediation
• Maximise the use of free material about mediation
• M aintain and improve www.scottishmediation.org.uk and Collaborate news bulletin as effective communication tools
• Plan and prepare for two more milestone conferences (September 2006 and March 2008)

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Funded Project

The Scottish Mediation Network has received £48,500 over two years (to end March 2008) to fund a part-time Mediation in Education Development Officer (MEDO) post. The MEDO’s primary aim is to develop and organise a programme of education about peer mediation in Scotland ’s primary and secondary schools . The MEDO:

• Organises projects and activities for pupils at all levels to acquire skills in mediation
• Arranges presentations to potential users and referrers to peer mediation
• Supports the development of new peer mediation services
• Creates strategies for integrating peer mediation into schools
• Provides active support for the volunteers involved in SMN’s Education Initiative Group
• Stimulates research and evaluation on peer mediation and its effects on Scottish schools.

All Scottish Government and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation funded tasks link to the Forward Plan 2005-08 of the Scottish Mediation Network. For more detailed information about ALL of these projects, please ask us for a copy of the SMN Forward Plan.