For the aspiring practitioners

What would be your expectations for an ODR Training Program?

As an aspiring practitionner, I am looking for training that will make, for me, the difference. I guess the my interest in ODR comes from the need to gain experience in mediation, and walk into this competitive market with a different approach, a different service. Considering this, my expectations towards an ODR Training program would be the following:

- A serious training, with a strong practical (real or simulated) dimension, focussed on a wide array of situation, especially those targeting the weeknesses traditional mediation.

- Some cutting-edge concentrations within the program to allow for concentration on specific areas (so we can get training in areas usually difficult to reach, rare or very new, especially with technology)

- Possibility to write a thesis (concentration with thesis), for those interested in writing and publishing in their areas of interest (and become specialists in theses areas)

- Affordable cost, to allow young mediators that cannot afford graduate studies but are looking for further education. This could also make the ODR training very competitive compared to other universities' programs

- Paper competitions, scholarship and awards, so students/practitionners can add these credentials to their resume

- Create online activities, blogs, alumni or any other tools to create a community of students and mediators. These will be important contacts in the future. Make sure that students, even after the program, have support and resources through the ODR training program.

- Mentoring with an ODR practitionner. Because there will be little human contacts, I think it would be great to have somebody to talk to of rely on in our future practice. This will allow sharing of experience and knowledge. This can even be a competition or award. 

- Very important: need for a course of ethics of ODR. Make sure that the certification produces a generation of ODR mediators with high moral standards. Remember that people in general are suspicious towards online services; ill-intentioned mediators can compromise others' efforts.

Thank you!

Flora Lê