Mediation is a process intended to support different parties in the face of any kind of disagreement. In this process, each point of view is heard and valued, with a clear intention to understand and include the needs of each party involved, in a conscious and transparent way. Thus, the purpose is to think together about a strategy that serves and addresses the needs of all parties.

 

Empathic listening plays an essential role and can happen in group settings or individual sessions. Another essential aspect is seeing the humanity in those who express disagreement, instead of seeing an “enemy image,” and understanding that disagreements happen at the level of strategies, not needs. Universal human needs are something we all share.

 

Finally, in contrast with other forms of mediation, we can say that in NVC, no conflict is seen as unwanted, “bad,” or something to be avoided. Each conflict is an opportunity to learn—so long as we approach it without violence. The problem is never the conflict itself, but the violent way we sometimes try to resolve it.