The International Mediation Institute (IMI) is pleased to announce the establishment of the IMI Mediation Public Policy Committee.
In 2025, the IMI Board approved the formation of the Mediation Public Policy Committee with the goal of promoting the integration of mediation into public policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks, and governmental practices on a global scale.
The Committee is in the initial stages of brainstorming. A few initial projects of the Committee will be aimed at:
- Adoption of Mediation Policies: Promoting the adoption of effective mediation policies in governmental and intergovernmental organizations, and supporting the use of mediation as a means to resolve all manner of societal, community, governmental and inter-governmental disputes.
- Mediation Clause Advocacy: Promoting the inclusion of appropriate mediation clauses in government contracts with commercial enterprises, individual experts, non-governmental organisations, and intergovernmental organizations. Promoting the inclusion of mediation clauses in treaties and other inter-statal and para-statal agreements. A vivid example of the type of activities and issues the Committee might address have been raised by IMI’s founding Executive Director Michael Leathes in an article he co-authored with Michael McIlwrath, with a critical view on how the European Commission handled the COVID-19 vaccine procurement:
The article illustrates the significance of consistent institutional practice in advancing mediation. The authors view the omission of a mediation clause in a COVID-19 vaccine procurement contract as a missed chance by the European Commission to exhibit practical leadership. Central to their argument is the principle of “leading by example”: for mediation to become a widely accepted way of resolving disputes, it must be firmly embedded in procurement and other commercial contracts.
“Not Leading by Example” by Michael Leathes and Michael McIlwrath
- Promotion of the Singapore Convention: More structured support to the further understanding and adoption of the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, known as the “Singapore Convention on Mediation“, a project which IMI has supported and co-created.
IMI recognizes that by assisting policymakers in considering mediation as a preferred first step for dispute resolution, and by helping them define criteria to ensure a high quality process, they can be better equipped to implement effective mediation policies.
These actions contribute to the broader goal of fostering the resolution of disputes in all spheres through mediation, in pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.
To learn more about the Committee’s mission and primary objectives, please review the full Terms of Reference here.
Join the Committee
IMI is actively seeking new members to join the Mediation Public Policy Committee. If you are interested in this initiative, please complete the form below to express your interest. Your answers will help us understand your expertise and project ideas that can contribute to the Committee’s mission.
