A letter form the conductor of the course, Professor Anatol Pikas, Uppsala.

TO THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE COURSE IN MEDIATION FEBRUARY 8 -10 IN PSKOV

Dear participant,

The central theme of the course is mediation of conflicts at the place of work. Role-plays at the course will be an important ingredient. In order to maximise the probability that the participants may themselves have the confidence to mediate after the course, the course has to be a continuation of the ideas they already have. Therefore they are asked to write an essay about their experiences and ideas of good mediation. 

However, I will start the course by  giving a summary of the ideas of the participants have expressed. If necessary I will make also my own additions. For this the participants are asked to send me by e-mail your essays:  anatol.pikas@ped.uu.se. Or, if you do not have an access to e-mail send a surface letter to Professor Anatol Pikas  Department of Education Box 2109, S-750 02  Uppsala, Sweden or to Olga Vorkunova ……

Write in English three essays, together not shorter than one page and not longer than 2 pages. (Ordinary 4 A pages). This is no test ­­ not of your English not either of your intelligence. This is just an inventory of the participants' thinking. 

1. MY IDEAS OF GOOD MEDIATION AND MEDIATOR QUALITIES IN INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS. 
Write only the ideas you yourself believe in; do not quote authorities.

2. MY EXPERIENCES AS PARTICIPANT OR OBSERVER OF A CONFLICT AT A PLACE OF WORK.
Chose a conflict that was not solved "by itself" or "by lucky circumstances". It is an advantage if the story contains a mediator. Important: Just tell a true story!  (No fantasies!) If you do not have experiences from working place conflicts, write about other interpersonal conflicts.

3. WHAT I THINK I WOULD NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT INTERPERSONAL MEDIATION.
Could be a very short list.

When is the dead-line to send the essays the heading? ­ It depends on administrative reasons. First, when do you get this instruction from the arranger of the course. But try to write immediately and send it away. Spontaneity is recommended. The sooner you send, the more opportunity you give to the conductor of course to read about your ideas and deal with them properly. 

When I get your essay, I will reply to those who have sent it by e-mail giving you addresses to e-mail which describe courses in mediation run by the principles you will meet in Pskov.

An ultimate deadline is Sunday evening, February 4th

With best wishes

 Your Anatol Pikas