The Union of Mediation Centers of Romania (U.M.C.R.)

Within the strategy for 2011-2013, in acting as a tool for social peace inside community, the Union of Mediation Centers of Romania has developed programs to spread information nationally and internationally regarding the advantages of conflict resolution through mediation .

Thus, by concluding strategic partnerships, U.M.C.R. has accessed mass communication means, such as the magazine „ Mediation Technique and Art” www.mediereatehnicasiarta.ro, the only professional journal in Europe, with monthly bilingual Romanian and English issue, addressing mediators and persons involved in the act of justice, and readers who wish to get informed on mediation. Currently, the magazine is distributed in over 100 locations in Romania (professional organizations of mediators, court, mayoralties, universities, National Institute of Magistracy, Superior Council of Magistracy, Ministry of Justice etc.) and to international professional organizations in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Greece, Malta and the U.S. The magazine has entered now its second year of existence, reaching number 30 with the March 2013 issue.

Also, websites such as www.portalmediere.ro (web portal dedicated to promoting offices of mediators and professional associations, representing a database in the field) and www.medieretv.ro (website that hosts demonstrations and programs on ADR methods) helped to raise popularity of ADR methods overall, and to promote professionals inside the organization.

Continuing the promotion goal, U.M.C.R. became partner of the National Project "Mediation Caravan - Mediation close to You!," which takes place across the country for a period of 24 months, aiming to promote mediation as an alternative method of dispute resolution. The Caravan consists in a monthly series of public information events on mediation and its advantages, the public being able to know the mediators personally and to directly inform about the advantages of this procedure. The Caravan started in June 2011 in Bucharest and so far it has enjoyed a strong interest from the participants in other 26 county capitals.

Two special events took place on May 24, 2012 when the “Caravan” stopped in Brussels, Belgium, in partnership with Arthis - Maison Culturelle Belgo-Roumaine, and on August 23, 2012 in Kerkyra, Greece, in partnership with The Hellenic Mediation&Arbitration Center, as part of a campaign addressed to the Romanian communities abroad, but aiming also the exchange of experience with the local ADR organizations.

"Mediation close to you!" Conference held on December 4, 2011 at the Parliament Palace in Bucharest was the main event of the year within the campaign to promote mediation in Romania at institutional level but also among the general public. The interest from prestigious institutions in Romania, the Royal House, the Romanian Diplomatic Institute and diplomats, proves the honorability and usefulness of the mediator profession which matches the elite of intellectuals.

The Union of Mediation Centers of Romania has understood the necessity for high standards training of professionals within the federation, becoming a standard of quality, gathering inside the federation professionals who see this profession as a vocation. In this respect, trainers and mediators with the Union participated in skills training courses, acquiring international certifications from The Lord Slynn of Hadley European Law Foundation, London UK and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Washington DC, U.S.

With the beginning of 2012, there was laid the foundation of partnerships with the Romanian Diplomatic Institute and the Union of Bilateral Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Romania. In the words of HRH Crown Princess Margarita of Romania from her message to the U.M.C.R., Mediation, the youngest regulated profession in Romania, is an example of how something useful for society can be built where there was nothing. (...) I hope that, through the better promotion of mediation, more and more disputes will be solved amiably. I also hope that, through your professional initiatives you will give an example about the role that professional organizations can play in Romanian society.

Since mediation is the universal way to extinct disputes, Romanian mediators represent peacekeepers who have understood that this procedure has no boundaries, and the term ADR easily takes shape as "Appropriate" Dispute Resolution.

Mugur Bogdan Mitroi

Chairman

www.ucmro.ro

office@ucmro.ro

Bucharest, Romania