The Ombuds Blog: What is Mediation?

June 11, 2007

What is Mediation?

Brendan Donaghy, a community mediator in Northern Ireland, offers an introspective take on what he does. His five broad functions will resonate with ombuds:

Interrupting An Old Cycle of Interaction
Growing Confidence / Respect
Exchanging Stories
Exploring Options / Outcomes
Establishing A New Cycle of Interaction

Donaghy is not claiming that this list of functions is either exhaustive or exclusive, or even good practice or standards. It’s simply an attempt to reflect on the service he provides. (Mediate.com.)

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Austria -- Ombudsstelle

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany -- Ombudspersonen

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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June 11, 2007

What is Mediation?

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