Anyone who has mediated even a few disputes is likely to have experienced the magic of mediation, and would very much like to do so again.  But if asked where this magic came from, how it happened, what it consisted of, and how they might replicate it, most would be hard pressed to answer. 

Magic happens not only because of what we do, but who we are; in spite of everything the parties have said and done to each other, all their anguish and pain and trauma and loss, all their failed efforts and hopelessness. Why?  Because we, their mediators, know, in our minds and hearts that magic is possible, and are ready to step into their hatred and fear and darkness and uncertainty, to search for it there. 

In mediation, we allow ourselves, for a moment, to become the magic they are seeking, merely because they do not yet understand that the magic is already inside and between them; that they can become magicians and learn how to turn the lead of conflict into the gold of resolution. 

We do so--not as “neutrals,” who are on no one’s side--but as “omni-partial,” and on everyone’s side – not factually, but as human beings with diverse experiences, ideas, emotions, and interests.  Neutrality is a response to either/or, for or against, victory or loss, zero-sum, digital attitudes toward justice, based on a wish that our enemies will be smited, cast out, and punished for what they did to us by some superior, paternalistic power.  Democracy and mediation require a different, collaborative, non-zero sum, interest-based approach.

Kenneth Cloke examines a few of the sources of magic in mediation, the transformational skills and transcendent techniques that allow us to move beyond conciliation and compromise to collaboration and consensus, and beyond settlement to resolution, forgiveness, reconciliation, and prevention. 

About the Speaker

Ken Cloke is a world-recognized mediator, dialogue facilitator, conflict resolution systems designer, teacher, public speaker,  author of numerous books, including the ground breaking “Mediating Dangerously” and a pioneer and leader in the field of mediation and conflict resolution.

In 1980 Ken  became a mediator, and in 1983, he created the Center for Dispute Resolution in Santa Monica, CA, where he has been a mediator, arbitrator, facilitator, coach, consultant and trainer, specializing in communication, collaborative negotiation, dialogue facilitation, and resolving complex multi-party disputes, including thousands of marital, divorce, family, community, grievance and workplace disputes, collective bargaining negotiations, organizational and school conflicts, sexual harassment, discrimination, and public policy disputes.

 In 2006, Ken co-founded Mediators Beyond Borders, based in Washington D.C.  MBB is an organization that mobilizes mediators around the world to support individuals, organizations, communities, and governments in building conflict-resolution literacy and capacity in under-served communities.

Ken is currently focusing on the connections between small, internal and interpersonal issues and the larger social and political conflicts that divide us.  He is devoting more time to designing conversations and initiatives that aim at mobilizing those who seek to deepen and strengthen the skills needed to sustain community, collaboration, and democracy.