Mediation Services goes to Czech Republic
 Prague from the 'Castle'  Astrological Clock in Old Town Prague  Czech and Mediation Services Team meet with the Canadian Embassador  Dorothy leading an exercise with Czech participants
Mediation Services was invited by the International Cooperation Group and the Czech Justice Cooperation Project (Department of Justice, Canada) to provide a "mediation seminar" in the Czech Republic. The idea was to "provide an opportunity for Canadian and Czech mediation experts to discuss specific mediation training issues and assist with the development of a strategic mediation training and implementation direction". The seminar was co-hosted by Probation and Mediation Services of the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic. The team from Mediation Services included Dorothy Barg Neufeld, David Dyck and Greg Barrett. Mr. Stephen Bierbrier, Justice Canada, coordinated the undertaking.
The team left Canada on April 24, 2004 and arrived in the historic City of Prague on Sunday April 25, 2004 and began its work in the Czech Republic the next day. This first day was given over to roundtable discussions. During the morning, Mr. Pavel Stern, Manager of Probation and Mediation Services (established in 2001), took us through an explanation of the current situation of restorative justice and alternative measures in the Czech Republic. In the afternoon we met with Pavel Stern, Kevin Barry (of the U.K. assigned to the Czech Republic to aid in its transition to the European Union), several representatives of Probation and Mediation Services and representatives from community organizations. We gave them a brief rundown of Mediation Services and then entered into a dialogue covering our different experiences with such issues as – funding, standardization, training, volunteerism, relations with government and so on.
From Wednesday to Friday David and Dorothy led a seminar starting with some of the basic issues in victim/offender mediation and moving on to focus on Family Group Conferencing. There were 26 participants representing Probation and Mediation Services, non government organizations, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the ministry of Justice and the Police. The 26 participants came from all over the Czech Republic.
The sessions, aided by simultaneous translation, were highly interactive and fast paced. At times brief pieces of theory were presented; role plays were used, a Family Group Conferencing video and then the especially powerful "blanket" exercises had deep emotional impact. I had the sense of people working very hard: The translators working under conditions of high stress and pressure delivering an accurate and professional product; the participants learning like sponges, eager for more and willing to risk and the two trainers constantly making adjustments according to the needs of the group. There certainly was a buzz in the room. On the second day a journalist introduced himself to the team and asked if he could observe. After some consultation, we agreed. However, the journalist quickly moved from the role of an observer to a participant. It is anticipated that he will write up his experience in one of the Czech publications. The Canadian team was invited to the Canadian Embassy and were graciously received and hosted by Ambassador, Bruce Jutzi and his wife Pearl.
The Canadian Team was very much impressed with the passion, the energy and the commitment of the Czech participants. The training was very well received by all involved and as they reflected on their training the participants talked about – a need for more work with victims; a higher level of hope; the power of the videos and blanket exercises; brought Family Group Conferencing to life – its feasible; a sense of safety, empowerment and being motivated.
The team left Prague on May 2, 2004 tired but very excited about the development of new contacts and quietly absorbing the lessons learned from our Czech colleagues over the past week.
Greg Barrett
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