Kompass Blog

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a popular choice among career changers seeking meaningful and rewarding work. If you’re one of those thinking about making the leap, you owe it to yourself to scope out the landscape first.

So what can ADR professionals expect in the coming months? What trends and opportunities will define the year ahead?

To find out, we spoke to Pramila Javaheri, the executive director of the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO). Keep reading to get expert insight on what’s shaping the field today and what’s on the horizon.

When different generations live, work, and make decisions together, tensions are almost inevitable. Older adults and their families don’t always see eye to eye on issues like inheritance, caregiving, or cultural traditions, and these conflicts can quickly become overwhelming.

That’s where intergenerational mediators come in. Rather than declaring a “winner” and a “loser”, mediators help families talk openly, understand each other’s perspectives, and find solutions that work for everyone.

In this post, we’ll explore the most common issues behind intergenerational disputes, how mediation can help preserve harmony at home, and how you can get the training you need to launch a rewarding career in this field.

Mediation is a popular alternative to traditional courtroom battles, offering a more collaborative and cost-effective way to resolve disputes. But despite its growing use, many people are still unclear about what mediation really involves.

Misconceptions abound about the role of the mediator, the types of cases suitable for mediation, and the legal standing of mediation agreements.

In this post, we clear up some of the most common myths about mediation and explain why it’s a valuable tool for resolving conflict in a wide range of settings—from family issues to workplace disputes and beyond.

Intergenerational mediation is about helping families navigate disputes between different generations, often related to inheritance, healthcare decisions, or changing family roles. It fosters understanding, preserves relationships, and ensures that all voices—especially those of older adults—are heard and respected.

Rosanna Macri knows this well. She is an accredited intergenerational mediator with a diverse background in both bioethics and conflict management. She has many years of experience helping families navigate complex conversations with empathy and clarity, and now she is sharing that expertise with students at Kompass.

We spoke with Rosanna recently to learn about her educational journey, the types of disputes she encounters, and her focus for the Intergenerational Mediation certificate program.

Here are the highlights of that conversation.

Navigating family disputes and relationship breakdowns is fraught with challenges and takes a special touch. Few people understand that better than new Kompass instructor Dora Dang.

Dora has over 20 years of experience as a mediator, arbitrator, facilitator, coach, and instructor. She also has her own company, Leap Divorce Solutions, that focuses on mediation arbitrations and financial analysis for divorce.

We connected with Dora recently to learn more about her and what she brings to the alternative dispute resolution programs at Kompass. Here’s how that conversation went.

Artificial intelligence is disrupting many fields previously thought off-limits to automation, and dispute resolution is no exception. AI can summarize cases, predict outcomes, even facilitate negotiations. But can it replace human mediators entirely?

In this post, we look at the capabilities of AI in mediation. We explore current AI technologies and their applications in conflict resolution. We also consider the limits of AI in replicating complex human emotional intelligence and ethical decision making. And we share some expert opinions on the possibility of AI taking over from human mediators.

Here’s what you need to know.

Updated June 2024

Mediators who focus on resolving disputes involving older adults and their families, friends, and caregivers may find themselves working with clients from diverse backgrounds. That presents unique challenges and requires specific skills.

Being culturally competent is key to success. But what exactly does that mean? And how can mediators create a respectful and inclusive process for everyone involved?

In this post, we explore the significance of cultural diversity in intergenerational mediation, highlighting how mediators can navigate and leverage cultural differences to resolve conflicts effectively.

Rola Mustafa began her career as a lawyer, but quickly recognized the value of addressing conflicts in a non-adversarial way. Her passion for alternative dispute resolution led her to pursue accreditation in mediation from multiple organizations. She also became a certified global trainer and has coached dozens of mediators in both Canada and Syria.

Now, she brings all that expertise to Kompass as an instructor in the mediation, family mediation, and arbitration certificate programs.

We spoke with Rola this week to learn more about her background and what prospective ADR students should know. Read on for the highlights.

If you’re interested in family mediation in Ontario, chances are you’ve heard of the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM). Established in 1982, it is the largest accrediting body of family mediators in the province.

Mediation is not technically a regulated field. However, becoming accredited through OAFM can give you more professional credibility and greater employment opportunities. You must be accredited to take part in court-connected mediation services, for example.

To learn more about the organization and get answers to common student questions about family mediation, we spoke with OAFM Executive Director Mary-Anne Popescu.

Updated June 2024

Suppose an elderly mother has cognitive challenges due to a stroke and her adult children fear she isn’t safe at home anymore. Or the son of a senior suspects the older man’s new romantic partner is taking advantage of him financially. These are difficult conversations that can lead to ruptured relationships.

That’s where intergenerational mediation comes in. Also known as elder mediation, it’s a form of alternative dispute resolution that focuses on conflicts concerning older adults. Skilled mediators provide a forum for older people and their loved ones to air their worries and begin charting a path forward.