9–13 November 2026

International Mediation Awareness Week 2026

For lawyers, organisations, individuals and parents — a week of free events showing how mediation can resolve disputes without going to court. Different focus each day, with sessions added here as they’re confirmed.

See this week’s events

–Days

–Hours

–Mins

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Reviewed by Joanne Law, Director — Mediation Institute

Who this week is for

IMAW isn’t just for mediators — it’s for anyone facing a dispute, or supporting someone who is.

Lawyers

Considering mediation for a client, or wanting to understand the process before you recommend it.

Find a mediator →

Organisations

Resolving workplace, community or commercial disputes without heading straight to court.

How mediation works →

Individuals

Facing a dispute of your own and want to know what your options are outside the legal system.

Find a mediator →

Parents

Working out parenting arrangements after separation, with support to keep the focus on your kids.

Working with families →

Family violence & relationship services

Supporting clients through separation and divorce, and needing to know when mediation is safe and appropriate — and when it isn’t.

Wednesday: family dispute resolution →

Schools & educational institutions

Handling conflict between students, staff and families. Thursday’s sessions have an education focus.

Thursday’s education focus →

Volunteer organisations

Committees, clubs and community groups working through internal conflict without losing good volunteers over it.

How ICDRS helps community groups →

Elder mediation

Preventing elder abuse and keeping the older person’s voice at the centre of decisions about care, living arrangements and estates — including where there’s no will.

Tuesday: elder mediation & estates →

A different focus each day

IMAW 2026 runs Monday 9 to Friday 13 November, with a different theme each day. Every session is free — register through Eventbrite to receive the joining link. Sessions and presenters are added here as they’re locked in, so check back through October and November.

Can’t make it live? Recordings will be made available after the week.

Monday 9 November — Mediation in Workplaces, Community Groups and Organisations

9am – 10am (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Are we Asking Too Much of Workplace Mediators in Australia?

Presented by Anna Faoagali, Emverio

Two colleagues have stopped speaking, a complaint is looming and someone says they feel unsafe. What should happen next?

This session explores decisions before, during and after workplace mediation. Consider intake, ethics, psychosocial risk and skills for restoring working relationships, alongside the case for shared specialist guidance and support.

About Anna: Anna Faoagali is founder and director of Emverio and an AMDRAS Advanced Accredited Mediator. With more than 25 years of mediation experience, she leads a national team providing workplace mediation, investigations and complaints services.

12pm – 1pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Pre-Mediation sessions can be very important to assist in reaching an agreement

Presented by Craig Anderson, Mediate Me

Effective workplace mediation begins before people meet. Explore how pre-mediation conversations can assess readiness, identify motivation and help people prepare to communicate, even when they disagree or find the relationship difficult.

About Craig: Craig has seven years of mediation experience, primarily in workplace disputes. His work also includes faith-based mediation and supporting couples who want to repair their relationship.

2pm – 3pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

From Conflict to Clarity: The Power of Workplace Mediation

Presented by Thiloshini Schmidt, Northstar Workplace Solutions

Building healthier workplace relationships through constructive conversations, early intervention and effective conflict resolution. Workplace conflict is inevitable; it’s how organisations respond that makes the difference.

About Thilo: Thiloshini has mediated for multinational corporations, government and community organisations across Australia, bringing a level-headed, culturally sensitive and impartial approach. Through workplace mediation, group facilitation and trauma-informed conflict coaching, she helps leaders and HR professionals resolve conflict early and rebuild healthier working relationships.

3.30pm – 4.30pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Know your rules, keep your volunteers

Handling disputes and complaints in community groups.

Presented by Joanne Law, Interact Support – ICDRS.

Know your rules, learn the first steps of conflict management, and keep the volunteers and team members your group depends on.

About Joanne: Director of Mediation Institute and AMDRAS Advanced Mediator. She co-founded and leads Interact Community Dispute Resolution Service (ICDRS), a volunteer-led service that mediates exactly these kinds of disputes for clubs, associations and not-for-profits.

4.30pm – 5pm (AEDT) · 30 mins

The Daily Reflect

Join us to reflect on the day’s presentations, discuss key ideas and ask questions. Whether you attended one session or several, everyone is welcome to share their thoughts and explore how mediation can make a difference.

Tuesday 10 November — Elder Mediation and Estates

9am – 10am (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Kitchen Table Law for Family Disputes

Presented by Paul Kenna Law, Kitchen Table Law.

Discover how mediation and legal help for specific tasks can work together. Explore options that may help families manage costs, make informed decisions and retain control when dealing with separation, parenting arrangements or estates.

About Paul Kenna Law: Paul Kenna Law is a barrister and solicitor, AMDRAS Accredited Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and family law arbitrator. He co-founded Mediation Institute and Interact Support and authored the Kitchen Table Law guides.

12pm – 1pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

How to Talk to Your Parents About Ageing When They Won’t Talk About It – Lessons from Elder Mediation

Presented by Sian Dyce, Family Talks

Talking about future care and support can be difficult when a parent is reluctant to engage. Explore lessons from elder mediation to help families approach sensitive conversations while respecting the older person and their choices.

About Siân Dyce

Siân is an AMDRAS Advanced Mediator, certified Elder Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. Through Family Talks, she provides family, property and elder mediation, helping families navigate conflict and make decisions about the future.

2pm – 3pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Elder Mediation: Resolving Family Conflicts, Protecting Dignity and Preserving the Voice of Older Persons

Presented by Fred Kamiti, Harmony Bridge Counselling and Mediation Centre (Kenya)

Elder Mediation: Protecting Dignity and Supporting Family Relationships

Explore how elder mediation can help families discuss care, living arrangements, finances and inheritance while keeping the voice, choices and safety of the older person central.

About Fred Kamiti

Fred Kamiti is an accredited mediator, counselling psychologist and court mediator based in Kenya. As Chief Psychologist at the Presbyterian Medical Care Center in Nakuru, he combines psychology and mediation to support individuals and families through conflict.

4.30pm – 5pm (AEDT) · 30 mins

The Daily Reflect

Wednesday 11 November — Family Dispute Resolution

9am – 10am (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Family violence, family law and FDR: what counsellors and family violence workers need to know

Presented by Joanne Law, Mediation Institute.

What FDR Practitioners must do to assess suitability and safety, what a section 60I certificate is, and how shuttle, online and lawyer-assisted FDR can give people a safer, faster and less costly alternative to court. For counsellors, family violence workers, lawyers and anyone supporting separating clients. Presented in association with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

About Joanne: Director of Mediation Institute, accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and AMDRAS Advanced Mediator. She leads Interact Support, a not-for-profit providing online FDR and community mediation, and has a particular interest in making dispute resolution safe and useful for people affected by family violence.

10.30am – 11.30am (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Child-Focused Separation: From Conflict to Co-operation

Presented by Naomi Holtring, Hampton Secrets

How can separating parents move beyond conflict while keeping the needs of their children at the centre?

Drawing on her book, Child-Focused Separation: From Conflict to Co-operation, Naomi Holtring will share practical strategies for managing difficult emotions, separating adult grievances from parenting responsibilities, protecting children from loyalty conflicts and supporting healthier post-separation communication.

This interactive session is suitable for separating parents and the professionals who support them.

About Naomi: Naomi Holtring is an experienced family mediator and conciliator with more than 20 years of experience in dispute resolution, family mediation and organisational conflict management.

She holds a Master’s degree in Dispute Resolution and is the author of Child-Focused Separation: From Conflict to Co-operation, a practical resource for parents and professionals supporting families through separation.

12pm – 1pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

How to handle high-conflict situations with tact, skill and confidence

Presented by Sonal Kharbanda, Rectitudeadr

How can mediators and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners respond effectively when emotions are high and communication has broken down?

Sonal Kharbanda will share practical approaches to managing challenging behaviour, reducing escalation and supporting constructive conversations while maintaining safety, neutrality and professional boundaries.

This session is suitable for separating families, mediators, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners, students and emerging practitioners.

About Sonal: Sonal Kharbanda is an advocate and mediator based in New Delhi, India, and the founder of RectitudeADR.

She trained as a mediator through the Indian Law Institute and completed an apprenticeship with the Delhi High Court Mediation Centre. Her professional experience includes advocacy, mediation, facilitation and administration.

2pm – 3pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Why Mediations Fall Apart and How Preparation Makes Yours Work

Presented by Marnie Cooper, The Upspring.

Why do some family mediations break down while others lead to workable agreements?

Marnie Cooper will explain how preparation helps separating parents identify priorities, develop practical proposals, manage difficult moments and participate more effectively in Family Dispute Resolution.

Participants will also receive a practical readiness checklist to help identify what to prepare before mediation.

About Marnie: Marnie Cooper is a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, AMDRAS Accredited Mediator and founder of The Upspring.

With a preparation-first and psychology-informed approach, Marnie works with separated parents experiencing mistrust, entrenched communication patterns and high-conflict parenting. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution.

3.30pm – 4.30pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Two different processes for bringing the voice of the child into the mediation room

Presented by Bonnie Douglas, Smoother Separations.

How can a child’s needs and views be brought into family dispute resolution?

Bonnie Douglas will compare two processes: traditional Child Inclusive Practice and the early use of a Family Report. She will explore how each process works, its advantages and limitations, and how child-focused information can support parents to make informed decisions.

Participants will gain practical insights into explaining these options to parents and family lawyers.

About Bonnie: Bonnie Douglas is a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, family mediator, parenting coordinator and divorce coach.

Through Smoother Separations, Bonnie supports separating families with a calm, structured and child-focused approach. She helps parents understand conflict patterns, consider different perspectives and make workable decisions for themselves and their children.

4.30pm – 5pm (AEDT) · 30 mins

The Daily Reflect - Family Dispute Resolution

Monday 16th November | 7pm – 8pm (AEDT) | Presented in Arabic

The First 12 Months After Separation: Shaping Your Family Future (Arabic)

Presented by Rand Faied, RF Family Services. This session will be delivered in Arabic.

How can parents navigate the first year after separation while protecting children from conflict?

Rand Faied will explore managing difficult emotions, avoiding common mistakes and making informed parenting decisions. Learn how mediation can support communication and help families develop arrangements that focus on the needs of their children.

About Rand: Rand Faied is an accredited mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, family therapist and university lecturer with more than a decade of experience supporting families. Her work focuses on culturally responsive support, respectful communication and the wellbeing of children.

Thursday 12 November — Health and Education focus

2pm – 3pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Resolving Conflict in Educational Settings

Presented by Peter Johnstone, Darren Clark & Luke Tilley, Queensland Department of Education Conflict Resolution Team

Conflict Resolution in Education: Case Studies and Discussion

Explore the challenges of conflict in education through de-identified case studies. Join the Department of Education Conflict Resolution team to discuss different perspectives, practical responses and strategies for managing difficult situations.

3.30pm – 4.30pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Why Not Mediation? Early Intervention for Conflict in Health and Education

Panel discussion hosted by Joanne Law, Director, Mediation Institute

Working in a hospital, aged care service, clinic, school or university and finding that conflict is turning into behaviour that feels unmanageable? Abuse, bullying, aggression and other antisocial behaviour often start as everyday disagreements that weren’t dealt with early, or were met with a response that made things worse. Some responses are like throwing water on an electrical fire. A panel of mediators will share practical strategies you can try, how to spot conflict before it escalates, and when to bring in outside help, drawing on research and practice from around the world.

Start with the 2pm session. Much of the conflict the Queensland team deals with is resolved without ever reaching formal mediation. If you work in any kind of institution, not just education, join both sessions and bring that thinking into the panel: what could you adapt for your own workplace?

4.30pm – 5pm (AEDT) · 30 mins

The Daily Reflect - Education and Health

Friday 13 November — More ways to manage conflict

9am – 10am (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

The Mayor as Mediator: Why Council Leadership Is Conflict Leadership

Presented by Anne-Marie Cade, LG Conflict Management

Discover how mayors, councillors and local government leaders can use mediation skills to build civility, manage disagreements early and prevent conflict from escalating.

About Anne-Marie Cade: Anne-Marie is a former mayor and councillor, award-winning lawyer, nationally accredited mediator, conflict resolution specialist, trainer and Churchill Fellow. Through LG Conflict Management, she provides dispute resolution and civility training for local government leaders across Australia.

10.30am – 11.30am (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Does Conflict Management for One (CM-1) help clients manage power imbalances? Does it help them shift how they think about conflict?

Presented by John Cleary, designer of CM1

Conflict Management for One: Finding a Way Forward

You can explore ways to manage conflict without the other person taking part. Discover how Conflict Management for One (CM-1) supports reflection, considers power imbalances and may help people shift their thinking and choose their next steps.

About John Cleary: John developed CM-1, building on the Problem Solving for One work of Dr Alan Tidwell at Macquarie University. He practised as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner in Queensland from 1996 to 2021.

12pm – 1pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

The 4-Step Conversation Guide: Use the Experience Cube to Prevent Conflict

Presented by John Rodriquez, The Infinite Well.

Could a clearer conversation prevent a small disagreement from becoming a bigger conflict?

John Rodriquez will introduce the Experience Cube, a four-part framework developed by Dr Gervase Bushe, to help people question assumptions, reduce blame and prepare for constructive conversations.

This interactive session will include working through an audience example to develop a clearer conversation strategy.

About John: John Rodriquez is an AMDRAS Accredited Mediator and Founder and Managing Director of The Infinite Well. With 37 years of HR experience, he supports workplace and community conflict resolution, psychosocial safety and wellbeing. His approach combines professional experience, empathy, creativity and mindfulness.

2pm – 3pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Beyond Borders: Mediation, Culture and the Power of Human Connection

Presented by Amiel Nubaha, Comprehensive Mediation Services.

How can mediation bridge cultural differences and help people connect when conflict gets in the way?

Drawing on experience across regional and remote Australia, Amiel Nubaha will explore how culture, identity and communication shape conflict. Discover ways to build trust, navigate differences and create inclusive spaces for dialogue.

The session will also introduce the inaugural Australia–Africa Mediation Conference 2027.

About Amiel: Amiel Nubaha is an Accredited Advanced Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Principal Consultant of Comprehensive Mediation Services.

Named the 2025 Community Mediator of the Year by the Australian Disputes Centre, Amiel works across community mediation, workplace conflict resolution and community-led peacebuilding. He is also Co-Founder and Co-Convenor of the Australia–Africa Mediation Conference 2027.

3.30pm – 4.30pm (AEDT) · 1 HOUR

Maintaining Relationships Using Mediation

Presented by Victoria Wah, Lux Fidelitas et Victoria LLC and Marina Del Rey.

How can mediation help resolve disagreements while preserving family, workplace and business relationships?

Victoria will explore how mediation differs from litigation and arbitration, why people may consider it before legal proceedings, and how lawyers and mediators can work together. The session includes insights into business relationships, mediation clauses and mediation organisations in Singapore.

About Victoria: Victoria is a Singapore-qualified lawyer, mediator, law lecturer and principal examiner. She is a Director of her law firm, Lux Fidelitas et Victoria LLC, and provides mediation through Marina Del Rey.

She is an accredited international mediator with the Singapore International Mediation Institute, serves on the Law Society of Singapore Mediation Panel and has mediated employment disputes for the Ministry of Manpower of Singapore.

4.30pm – 6pm (AEDT) · 1.5 HOURS

The Daily Reflect and Networking

Organisations supporting, or supported by, IMAW 2026

Organisations backing International Mediation Awareness Week 2026, and the campaigns IMAW is helping to promote. IMAW is about helping people understand how mediation can make a difference; these organisations and campaigns share that goal.