Twenty students completed hands-on training (on June 10-15, 2024) as part of a new project delivered by the Center for Early and Effective Dispute Resolution – Mediation at Grigol Robakidze University (GRUNI). This initiative, supported by the USAID Rule of Law Program, will enhance mediation skills and support the development of a private mediation system in Georgia.

The training introduced students to practical and theoretical aspects of mediation, including non-judicial mediation relations, telephone communication, and project management. The project primarily targeted 3rd and 4th-year undergraduates and master’s students from the law school, but also engaged students from other faculties like business management, medicine, public administration, and politics. The training combined practical exercises with theoretical instruction, including question-and-answer sessions, simulated role-plays, and strategies for managing unforeseen situations.

While training, Nino Gotsiridze stated, “we students already well understand that mediation is a new form of dispute resolution that we all should be skillful in as prolonged court proceedings are not effective mechanism for regulating our potential misunderstandings, but rather make us waste resources, therefore, we appreciate the efforts that the university takes to integrate mediation more in our curricula and such practical trainings prepare us for practical life.”

Another student, Elene Giorgadze also expressed her appreciation for the project, saying “the training made us understand that mediation is a rule of daily life, and we need to know as much as possible about this new form of dispute resolution. We developed negotiation skills and enhanced our knowledge in mediation as a new form of dispute resolution. Doing such trainings will develop our personalities and prepare us for professional practice.”   

As the project continues, students will contribute to a new platform offering private mediation services in cooperation with the Tbilisi Municipality Legal Clinical Program – Tbilisi Advocate and human rights NGOs providing free legal aid. These organizations will refer potential civil cases to the GRUNI’s mediation center. The Mediators Association of Georgia and its registered mediators will lead the mediation proceedings.