Merging Ethiopian Wise-Counsel Mediation and Facilitative ...

7. Empowering PartiesThe autonomy of the conflict parties is a guiding principle of mediation.Supporting and encouraging the parties to make their own decisions(both individually and collectively) regarding the resolution of theirdispute—rather than imposing the ideas of the mediator or others—is fundamental to the process.8. Informed ConsentA voluntary, self-determined dispute resolution will serve the parties’interests only if it is an informed choice. Although mediators need notbe (and usually should not be) the source of the parties’ information,mediators should make sure that the parties have enough informationwith which to assess their settlement options. If the parties lack information,mediators should talk to them about how they might obtain it.10. HonestyThe mediator’s duty to be honest includes openly disclosing:> > Their qualification and prior experience,> > any fees that the parties will be chargedfor the service of mediation, and> > any other aspect of the mediation whichmight affect their participation.Honesty also includes being truthful when meeting separately with theparties. For example, in the case of Party A confidentially disclosingtheir “bottom line” for any agreement and Party B asking for Party A’sbottom line, the mediator should not simply say “No”, but should explainthat indeed a discussion had taken place but its details are confidential—just as any information given by Party B would be confidential.9. ResponsibilityAs mediators should not do harm to the parties, they should alsoconsider whether a proposed settlement might harm others who are notparticipating in the mediation. This is particularly important in caseswhere third parties who might be affected by a mediated settlement areinvolved, e.g. children or other vulnerable people.52 Mediation Trainer’s Manual