Part of my work portfolio involves supporting the PR activities of the Mediator’s Institute of Ireland (MII). The coming week is set to be busy as Mediation Awareness Week (MAW) runs all next week and this includes the MII’s annual conference next Friday and Saturday in Dundalk. I’ve enjoyed working with the team at the MII and RTE putting together the MAW ad that has been airing on RTE Radio 1
throughout this week. Looking ahead MAW kicks off with the launch of a Workplace Mediation report in NUI Maynooth. Included in the launch will be a fascinating panel discussion on trends and developments on managing workplace conflict. No doubt the current deteriorating state of industrial relations in Ireland will feature too. The panel includes Prof. Bill Roche, University College Dublin; Loughlin Quinn, Director, Construction Contracts Adjudication Service & Civil and Public Service Mediation Service; Mary Connaughton, Director, CIPD Ireland; Oonagh Buckley, Director General, Workplace Relations Commission; Larry Broderick, IBOA; Maeve McElwee, Director of Employer Relations, IBEC; and Karen Erwin, President of the MII, 2005-2012. Peter Cassells, Executive Director, the Kennedy Institute, Sabine Walsh, the MII President and Kieran Mulvey, former Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission will facilitate proceedings.
On Tuesday there’s a special event, where three distinguished judges talk about their views of how mediation can contribute to the work of the courts. 
At the MII conference next Friday I’m particularly looking forward to one of the contributors Ashok Panikkar who will be presenting on “Brexit and its implications for the field of Conflict Resolution”. A fascinating week lies ahead and if you fancy attending any of the MAW events you can get more details here http://www.mediationawarenessweek.ie/whats-on
