Résumés
Abstract
Mediation is becoming a more peaceful and internationally accepted solution for solving conflicts. It is a dynamic and interactive process where a neutral third party that is the mediator assists disputing parties in resolving conflict. Normally, there is an assumption that the mediator will remain neutral. This thesis explores the neutral posture of the mediator when dealing with inter-cultural mediation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the understanding and implementation of neutrality of the intercultural mediator in practice. The research questions focused on the mediator’s perceptions, interpretations, conceptions, implementation and effectiveness of the neutrality posture at mediation. Ten face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with intercultural mediators hailing from diverse geographical locations. Data were coded and analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that intercultural mediators have different views of neutrality in mediation. Moreover, they adopt the meaning and posture of neutrality according to their self-determination in practice. An alternative discourse for this study should be to frame a standard meaning to the term of neutrality by giving its absolute significance in mediation.
Keywords:
- Inter-cultural Mediation,
- Neutrality posture,
- Mediator,
- Meanings,
- practice
Résumé
La médiation devient une solution plus pacifique et acceptée au niveau international pour résoudre les conflits. Il s’agit d’un processus dynamique et interactif dans lequel un tiers neutre, le médiateur, aide les parties en conflit à résoudre le conflit. Normalement, on part du principe que le médiateur restera neutre. Cette thèse explore la posture neutre du médiateur face à la médiation interculturelle. Le but de cette étude qualitative était d’examiner la compréhension et la mise en oeuvre de la neutralité du médiateur interculturel dans la pratique. Les questions de recherche portaient sur les perceptions, les interprétations, les conceptions, la mise en oeuvre et l’efficacité du médiateur lors de la médiation. Dix entretiens semi-structurés en face-à-face ont été menés avec des médiateurs interculturels originaires de diverses zones géographiques. Les données ont été codées et analysées par analyse thématique. Les résultats de l’étude ont révélé que les médiateurs interculturels ont des visions différentes de la neutralité de la médiation. De plus, ils adoptent le sens et la posture de neutralité en fonction de leur autodétermination dans la pratique. Un discours alternatif pour cette étude devrait être de donner un sens standard au terme de neutralité en lui donnant sa signification absolue dans la médiation.
Mots-clés :
- Médiation interculturelle,
- Posture de neutralité,
- Médiateur,
- Significations,
- Pratique
Parties annexes
Bibliography
- Applegate, A. G., & Beck, C. J. (2013). Self‐Represented Parties In Mediation: Fifty Years Later, It Remains The Elephant In The Room. Family Court Review, 51(1), 87-103.
- Astor, H. (2007). Mediator Neutrality: Making Sense Of Theory And Practice. Social & Legal Studies, 16(2), 221-239.
- Astor, H. 2000a, “Rethinking Neutrality: A Theory to Inform Practice - Part 1”, Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal, Vol. 11, pp. 73-83.
- Astor, H. & Chinkin, C. 2002, Dispute Resolution in Australia, 2nd ed., Butterworths, Sydney. pp 149-156
- Abdallah-Pretceille, Martine 2003. Former et éduquer en contexte hétérogène, Paris : Economica.
- Benjamin, R. (2012 June). The Natural History of Negotiation and Mediation: The Evolution of Negative Behaviors, Rituals and Approaches. Retrieved from https://www.mediate.com/articles/NaturalHistory.cfm#comments
- Blake Sarah, Gondarra, Djiniyini. 2008. Cultural Healing in Criminal Justice Service Delivery: An Identification of best practice and innovation to inform future service design. National Indigenous Justice CEO Forum Brisbane. Retrieved at and
- Becker, D. (2013). The Controversy Over Mediator Neutrality: Input From New Zealand Mediators (Doctoral dissertation, University of Otago).
- Boulle, L. 1996, Mediation: Principles, Process, Practice, Butterworths, Sydney.
- Boulle, L. 2001, Mediation – Skills and Techniques, Butterworths Skills Series, Butterworths, Sydney.
- Boulle, L. 2004, “In and Out of the Bramble Bush: ADR in Queensland Courts and Legislation”, Law in Context, Vol. 22, pp. 92-110.
- Boulle, L. 2005, Mediation: Principles, Process, Practice, 2nd ed., Butterworths, Sydney. p.31
- Boulle, L., & Teh, H. H. (2000). Mediation: Principles and Practice.pp.31
- Byram, Michael 2002. On Being 'Bicultural' And 'Intercultural'. In Geof Alfred, Michael Byram & Michael P. Fleming (eds.) Intercultural experience and education, 50-66. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.
- Byram, Michael, Bella Gribkova & Hugh Starkey 2002. Developing The Intercultural Dimension In Language Teaching. A Practical Introduction For Teachers, Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
- Bryman, Alan. (2008). Social Research Methods (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.
- Black, T. (1999). Doing Quantitative Research In The Social Sciences. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
- Bird, C. M. (2005). How I Stopped Dreading And Learned To Love Transcription. Qualitative Inquiry, 11(2), 226-248.
- Burr, V. (1995). An Introduction To Social Constructionism. London: Routledge.
- Boyatzis, R. E. (1998). Transforming Qualitative Information: Thematic Analysis And Code Development. Sage.
- Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis In Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 77-101.
- Carroll, Barbara, and Terrance Carroll. "Accommodating Ethnic Diversity in a Modernizing Democratic State: Theory and Practice in the Case of Mauritius. Ethnic and Racial Studies (1): 120–142, 2000.
- Cobb, S. and Rifkin, J. (1991) Practice and Paradox. Deconstructing Neutrality in Mediation. Journal of American Foundation. Law & Social Enquiry, 16 (1) January, pp 35-62
- Cohen J. 1996. Chinese Mediation on the Eve of Modernization, California Law Review 54 (3) .1201-15
- Coleman, P. T., Deutsch, M., & Marcus, E. C. (Eds.). (2014). The Handbook Of Conflict Resolution: Theory And Practice. John Wiley & Sons. P 120
- Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2008). Basics Of Qualitative Research. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
- Cecchin, G. (1987). Hypothesizing, Circularity, And Neutrality Revisited An Invitation To Curiosity. Family process, 26(4), 405-413.
- Cobb, S., & Rifkin, J. (1991). Practice And Paradox: Deconstructing Neutrality In Mediation. Law & Social Inquiry, 16(1), 35-62.
- Coleman, P. T., Deutsch, M., & Marcus, E. C. (Eds.). (2014). The handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and practice. John Wiley & Sons. P 120
- Clarke, V. & Braun, V. (2013) Teaching Thematic Analysis: Overcoming Challenges And Developing Strategies For Effective Learning. The Psychologist, 26(2), 120-123.
- Dahl, S. (2004). Intercultural Research: The Current State Of Knowledge.pp.22 Retrieved at :
- Davis, H., & Dugan, M. (1982). Training the Mediator. Peace & Change, 8(2‐3), 81-90. Retrieved at:
- Darlington, Y., & Scott, D. (2003). Qualitative Research In Practice: Stories From The Field. Social Work Education: The International Journal, 22(1), 115-118.
- Denzin, N. K. (1989). Interpretive Interactionism. Newbury Park, CA: Sage
- Denzin, Norman K, & Lincoln, Yvonna S. (2011). The Sage handbook of Qualitative Research (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage.
- Di, X., & Wu, Y. (2009). The developing trend of the people's mediation in China. Sociological Focus, 42(3), 228-245.
- Della Noce, D. 1999, “Seeing Theory in Practice: An Analysis of Empathy in Mediation”, Negotiation Journal, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 271-301
- Dyck, D. 2000, “The Mediator as Nonviolent Advocate: Revisiting the Question of Mediator Neutrality”, Mediation Quarterly, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 129-49.
- Douglas, S. (2012). Neutrality, Self-Determination, Fairness And Differing Models Of Mediation. James Cook UL Rev., 19, 19.
- Douglas, S. (2008). Neutrality in mediation: a study of mediator perceptions. Queensland U.Tech. L.& Just. J., 8, 139-157.
- Duranti, A (2006) Transcripts, Like Shadows on a wall, Mind, Culture, and Activity, 13. Pp. 301-310
- European Directive Press release on Mediation (MEMO/08/263) Retrieved at:
- Exon, S. N. (2007). The effects that mediator styles impose on neutrality and impartiality requirements of mediation. USFL Rev., 42, 577. AND Susan Nauss Exon. (2008). The Effects that Mediator Styles Impose on Neutrality and Impartiality Requirements of Mediation. University of San Francisco Law Review, 42, 577-1115.
- Faure, G. O. and Sjöstedt, G. (1993) 'Culture and Negotiation: An Introduction', Culture and Negotiation. pp. 187- 215
- Fitzgerald, H. (2002). How different are we? Spoken discourse in intercultural communication. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters. Field (2003) “The Theory and Practice of Neutrality in Mediation”. IAMA (no.5)
- Folger, J. P., & Bush, R. B. (1994). The Promise of Mediation. Responding to Conflict Through Empowerment and Recognition. San Francisco.
- Feer, M. (1992). "Toward A New Discourse For Mediation: A Critique Of Neutrality": Commentary
- Freer, M. 1992, “On ‘Toward a New Discourse for Mediation: A Critique of Neutrality’”, Mediation Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 173-77.
- Field, R. 1996, “Mediation and the Art of Power (Im) balancing”, QUT Law and Justice Journal, Vol. 12, pp. 264-73.
- Field, R. 2000, “Neutrality and Power: Myths and Reality”, The ADR Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 16-20.
- Flick, U. (2011). Introducing Research Methodology: A Beginner’s Guide To Doing A Research Project. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
- Flick, U. (2014). An Introduction To Qualitative Research (5th ed.). London: Sage Publications Ltd.
- Frith, H., & Gleeson, K. (2004). Clothing and embodiment: men managing body image and appearance. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 5(1), 40-48.
- Giordano C. H., “Préface. De la crise des représentations au triomphe des préfixes”, in Gohard-Radenkovic A., Mujawamariya D. & Pérez S., Intégration des « minorités » et nouveaux espaces interculturels, Berne, Peter Lang, 2003, pp. 11-17.
- Gohard-Radenkovic, A., Lussier, D., Penz, H., & Zarate, G. (2004). La médiation culturelle en didactique des langues comme processus [Cultural médiation in language teaching as a process]. In G. Zarate, A. Gohard-Radenkovic, D. Lussier & H. Penz (Eds.), La médiation culturelle et didactique des langues [Cultural médiation and language teaching] (pp. 225–238). Strasbourg: Council of Europe Publishing.
- Goffmann E. (1959), The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, Anchor Books Gadlin, H. & Pino, E. 1997, “Neutrality: A Guide for the Organisational Ombudsperson”, Negotiation Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp 17-37.
- Goldberg, S.B., Sander, F., and Rogers, N. (1992). Dispute Resolution: Negotiation, Mediation and Other Processes. (2nd Ed.) Boston: Little, Brown
- Gutierrez, A. (2012). The Seasons of Alternative Dispute Resolution: A Study of Mediation Tactics in the Context of Ancient Greek Mythology. Am. J. Mediation, 6, 65.
- Hall, E. T. (1976) Beyond Culture. New York: Anchor Books.
- Harry, B., & Lipsky, M. (2014). Qualitative Research on Special Education Teacher Preparation. In M. McCray, T. Brownell, & B. Lignugaris/Kraft (Eds.), Handbook of research on special education teacher preparation (pp.445-460)
- Hammersley, M., & Traianou, A. (2012). Ethics and Educational Research. Retrieved from:
- History of mediation. (2011, mai 8). Wiki-Mediation. Retrieved 13:56, mars 25, 2019 from .
- Hofstede, G. (1980) 'Culture and Organizations', International Studies of Management & Organization, 10(4), pp. 15-41.
- Iriskhanova, K., Röcklinsberg, C., Ozolina, O., & Zaharia, I.A. (2004). L’empathie comme élément de la médiation culturelle [Empathy as an element of cultural mediation]. In G. Zarate, A. Gohard-Radenkovic, D. Lussier & H. Penz (Eds.), La médiation culturelle et didactique des langues [Cultural mediation and language teaching] (pp. 109–142). Strasbourg: Council of Europe Publishing.
- James J. Alfini Er Al. (2001). Mediation Theory and Practice. Newark: Lexis Publishing
- Jacobs, S. (2002). Maintaining Neutrality In Dispute Mediation: Managing Disagreement While Managing Not To Disagree. Journal of pragmatics, 34(10-11), 1403-1426.
- Kelly, L. 2008, “Elements of a ‘Good Practice’ Aboriginal Mediation Model: Part 1”, Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal, Vol.19, pp. 198-230.
- Klein, H. K., & Myers, M. D. (1999). A Set Of Principles For Conducting And Evaluating Interpretive Field Studies In Information Systems. MIS Quarterly, 23(1), 67-93.
- Kovach. K. Kimberlee (2004), Mediation Principles and Practices. West Academic Publishing 3rd Edition. 18
- Kriesberg, Louis 2007a. Constructive Conflicts: From Escalation to Resolution. 3rd edition. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. 228
- Kriesberg, Louis 2007b. Long Peace or Long War: A Conflict Resolution Perspective, in: Negotiation Journal 23, 2, 97-116.
- Kramsch, Claire 1999. The Privilege Of The Intercultural Speaker. In Michael Byram & Michael Fleming (Eds.) Language Learning In Intercultural Perspective: Approaches Through Drama And Ethnography, 16-31. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Kvale, Steinar. Interviews an Introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing, Sage Publication, 1996
- Kvale, Steinar. (2009). Doing Interviews (Reprint.]. ed.). Los Angeles: Sage.
- Lapadat, J. C., & Lindsay, A. C. (1999). Transcription in Research and Practice: From Standardization of Technique to Interpretive Positionings. Qualitative Inquiry, 5(1), 64-86.
- Lascoux Jean Louis (2011). History of Mediation. Wiki-Mediation, Retrieved 13:56, mars 25, 2019
- Lieder, M. D. (1993). Navajo Dispute Resolution and Promissory Obligations: Continuity and Change in the Largest Native American Nation. Am. Indian L. Rev., 18, 1.
- Liddicoat, Anthony J. & Angela Scarino 2013. Intercultural Language Teaching And Learning, Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell
- Liddicoat, A. J. (2016). Intercultural Mediation, Intercultural Communication And Translation. Perspectives, 24(3), 354-364.
- Liddicoat, A.J., & Scarino, A. (2013). Intercultural language teaching and learning. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
- Maxwell, J. A. (2012). Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach. London: Sage.
- Maxwell, J. A. (2012). Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach. London: Sage.
- Mitchell, J.C. (1983). Case And Situation Analysis. The Sociological Review, 31, 2 (May), pp. 187-211.
- Moore, C. W. (2014). The Mediation Process: Practical Strategies For Resolving Conflict. Retrieved from
- Mitchell, J.C. (1983). Case and situation analysis. The Sociological Review, 31, 2 (May), pp. 187-211.
- McCorkle, S., & Reese, M. (2005). Mediation Theory and Practice 2nd ed.14-15
- Mayer, B. (2011). Panel Discussion: Core Values of Dispute Resolution: Is Neutrality Necessary. Marq. L. Rev., 95, 805.
- Mayer, B. S. (2000). The Dynamics Of Conflict Resolution: A Practitioner's Guide. (pp273-4)
- Moore, Christopher W. (2003). The Mediation Process: Practical Strategies for Resolving Conflict. 3rd ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass
- McCorkle, S., & Reese, M. (2005). Mediation Theory and Practice 2nd ed.14-15
- Mulcahy, L. (2001). The Possibilities And Desirability Of Mediator Neutrality – Towards An Ethic Of Partiality? Social & Legal Studies, 10(4), 505-527.
- Meyer, M. (1991). Developing transcultural competence: Case studies in advanced language learners. In D. Buttjes & M. Byram (Eds.), Mediating languages and cultures: Towards an intercultural theory of foreign language education (pp. 136–158). Clevedon: Multilingual Matters. Nabokov, V.
- Md Shidur Rahman. (2016). The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches and Methods in Language “Testing and Assessment” Research: A Literature Review, Journal of Education and Learning; Vol. 6, No. 1; 2017 ISSN 1927-5250 E-ISSN 1927-5269 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education
- Noone, M. "Mediation." In Essential Legal Skills Series, edited by Julie Macfarlane. London, UK: Cavendish Publishing, 1996.
- Dr. Nor ‘Adha Ab Hamid., Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): The Diagnosis and Implementation of Mediation/Conciliation and Negotiation in Settling Disputes. Int. J. Adm. Gov, 3(2): 1-8, 2017
- Nielsen, M. O., & Zion, J. W. (Eds.). (2005). Navajo Nation peacemaking: Living traditional justice. University of Arizona Press.
- Noone, M. A., & Ojelabi, L. A. (2014). Ethical Challenges For Mediators Around The Globe: An Australian Perspective. Wash. UJL & Pol'y, 45, 145.
- Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative Evaluation And Research Methods (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
- Podolefsky, A. 1990, Mediator Role in Simbu Management. Ethnology, 29(1), 67-81. Roberts, M. (2013). AZ of Mediation. Macmillan International Higher Education. 44
- Rifkin, J., Millen, J., & Cobb, S. (1991). Toward A New Discourse For Mediation: A Critique Of Neutrality. Mediation Quarterly, 9(2), 151-164.
- Rifkin, J., Millen J. & Cobb, S. 1991, “Toward a New Discourse for Mediation: A Critique of Neutrality”, Mediation Quarterly, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 151-64.
- Rock, E. M. (2004). Mindfulness Mediation, The Cultivation Of Awareness, Mediator Neutrality, And The Possibility Of Justice. Cardozo J. Conflict Resol., 6, 347.
- Rivera A., “Culture”, in Gallissot R., Kilani M. & Rivera A., L’imbroglio ethnique, Lausanne, Payot, 1997/2000, pp. 63-82.
- Sandelowski, M. (1998). Writing A Good Read: Strategies For Re‐Presenting Qualitative Data. Research in Nursing & Health, 21(4), 375-382.
- Singer, L. R., 1990. Settling Disputes: Conflict Resolution in Business, Families, and the Legal System. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. 20
- Silverman, D. (2010). Qualitative research. London: Sage.
- Spencer, D., & Brogan, M. (2006). Mediation law and practice. Cambridge University Press.
- Steger, W. (1987). "Resolving Environmental Disputes: A Decade of Experience", Gail Bingham (Book Review). Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 6(2), 282.
- Strauss, A. L., & Corbin, J. M. (1990). Basics Of Qualitative Research (Vol. 15). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
- Stulberg, J. “The Theory and Practice of Mediation: A Reply to Professor Susskind.” Vermont Law Review, 1981b, 6(1), 85–117.
- Shapira, O. (2008). Exploring The Concept of Power In Mediation: Mediators' Sources Of Power And Influence Tactics. Ohio St. J. on Disp. Resol., 24, 535.
- Sandelowski, M. (1998). Writing A Good Read: Strategies For Re‐Presenting Qualitative Data. Research in Nursing & Health, 21(4), 375-382.
- Schostak, John, Schostak, John F, & ProQuest. (2006). Interviewing And Representation In Qualitative Research (Conducting educational research). Maidenhead: Open University Press.
- Silverman, D. (2010). Qualitative Research. London: Sage.
- Spencer, D., & Brogan, M. (2007). Mediation Law and Practice. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
- Szejda Fehrenbach, K., & S. Ebesu Hubbard, A. (2014). Future directions in neutrality research: symmetry and transparency. International Journal of Conflict Management, 25(3), 226-242.
- Taylor, A. (1997). Concepts Of Neutrality In Family Mediation: Contexts, Ethics, Influence, And Transformative Process. Mediation Quarterly, 14(3), 215-236.
- Taylor, G. W., & Ussher, J. M. (2001). Making Sense of S&M: A Discourse Analytic Account. Sexualities, 4(3), 293-314.
- Wolcott, H.F. (1994). Transforming Qualitative Data: Description, Analysis, And Interpretation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Yarn, D. (Ed.). (1999). Dictionary Of Conflict Resolution. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. p.322
- Zamir, Ronit. (2011). The Disempowering Relationship Between Mediator Neutrality And Judicial Impartiality: Toward A New Mediation Ethic. Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal, 11(3), 467-517.