To the Problem of Higher Education in the Field of Mediation: Ukrainian Realities and Foreign Experience

Abstract

The article analyzes the current state and trends in education for people who want to carry out activities in the field of mediation. It has been established that today Ukrainian mediators are trained mainly by private institutions or public organizations involved in the introduction of mediation in Ukraine. It was found that only some law and psychology faculties of national higher education institutions include in the educational process elective courses on the basics of mediation, while a separate educational and professional program at the master's level "Mediator" is implemented by only one higher education institution. The experience of foreign countries, which established a mandatory requirement for higher professional education for mediators, is analyzed. It is stated that most states prefer training and accreditation of mediators by private organizations. The author highlights the problems and proposals for improving the educational process in the field of mediation. In particular, it was determined that the concept of "mediator-lawyer and psychologist" has the most support in the scientific community. The importance of creating the culture of the mediation and a favorable environment for reducing conflict in society is emphasized. It is proposed to train potential mediation specialists on the basis of higher education institutions that have the necessary resources for training and final certification of specialists. Emphasis is placed on the need to create a separate educational and professional program in the specialty "Mediation", which would include knowledge of law, psychology and other interdisciplinary fields.