Advancing a Culture of Mediation: Senior Fellows Regional Conference in Dubai

On March 10-12, 2023, the Weinstein International Foundation, represented by five members of the Foundation’s leadership team and twelve of its Senior Fellows from the Middle East and Gulf region, gathered in the United Arab Emirates to host a conference in Dubai. Dedicated to increasing stakeholder engagement and advancing a culture of mediation in the region, the conference was of historic significance.

The conference provided the first opportunity for all of the Foundation’s Senior Fellows from the region to meet, including Fellows from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon and Turkey. Senior Fellows from Romania and Serbia, representing ADR Center Romania and the International Mediation Institute (IMI), attended the conference as special guests. Foundation leadership team attendees included Board Members Ambassador David Carden (Ret.), Leonardo D’Urso, Bruce Edwards and Professor Sukhsimranjit Singh, as well as Executive Director Ellen Bass.

The primary objectives of the conference were twofold:

1. Strengthen collaboration among the Senior Fellows across the region to help develop dispute resolution practices in their countries, including the identification and development of possible projects to further the Foundation’s mission.
2. Increase the Foundation’s opportunities to advance a culture of dispute resolution in the region and support the Senior Fellows through the development of potential partnerships with key stakeholders.

Dubai Conference Highlights

A series of high-level events accompanied the conference, beginning on the afternoon of Friday, March 10, with an invitation only roundtable discussion featuring the Foundation’s leadership team, Senior Fellows, key stakeholders from the Dubai government and local and international law firms. Following the roundtable event, the Foundation’s leadership team and Senior Fellows participated in a 2-day workshop.

The roundtable discussion provided an important opportunity for key government and legal stakeholders from Dubai to exchange views on building capacity and advancing a culture of mediation in the region. Keynote remarks featured Foundation Board Member Ambassador David Carden (Ret.), who discussed the importance of mediation to resolving conflicts in the region beyond the resolution of civil and commercial disputes. Board Members Bruce Edwards and Leonardo D’Urso, discussed their experience pioneering the development of mediation in the U.S., Italy and internationally, while Professor Singh provided perspectives on developing dialogue processes to build cohesion through community mediation initiatives around the world.