Cultural diversity in a standardized mediation setting

"We find ourselves living in a complex global village in which interdependence and cooperation have taken on a larger significance and skills of compromise and reconciliation have become more highly valued." (Aureli & De Waal: Natural Conflict resolution, 2000) - Cultural diversity continues to exist in the global village, with significant impact on all forms of conflict resolution. Anja von Rosenstiel uses the international mediation moot organized yearly by the International Chamber of Commerce as an experimental setting and unique opportunity to examine qualitatively how these cultural differences materialize in a highly standardized situation. She has observed and analyzed diverse ways of communication and emotionality in the interaction of negotiation partners, especially in establishing trust and working relationships as well as in the exchange of information. Interviews with participants have revealed differences in the understanding of concepts such as interest analysis and solution option development as much as the process design as a whole. This book shows how cultural diversity remains a factor to be taken into account even in a seemingly standardized environment and will help to raise awareness of this aspect of conflict resolution in the global context.