ICMA’s original foundation in 2003 was to promote Commercial Mediation to a wide audience. This included the government, those interested in the development of commercial mediation, professionals working in the field, the business community and to professional advisors.

This still remains the choice of the sub-committee, comprised of Alexis FitzGerald, Paulyn Marrinan Quinn and Stuart Margetson. The group consider the following to be the strategic direction for the ICMA into the immediate future and recommend it to Council.
 

1. The continued marketing and promotion of Commercial Mediation.
2. Listing of ICMA Members and of Commercial Mediators who are members.
3. The creation of links with professional bodies and representative organisations.
4. The support for the Regulation of Commercial Mediation, by the accreditation of individuals and service provider groups.

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1. Marketing and promotion of Commercial Mediation
 

• Web based communications: the major tool to be used by ICMA for communication; the site should be informative and be a source of current thinking and information on commercial mediation.
• Workshops: In order to establish ICMA as a source of information and authority on commercial mediation, there are to be several workshops, established during the spring and early summer in different locations, on topics relevant to the professions and to businesses. These workshops could be both day long events and short sessions at breakfast and in the evening.
• Hosting of Conferences:
• It was decided that ICMA would host a conference every two years and that the alternate year would be dedicated to workshops and road-shows.Links with professional and representative bodies in a structured manner are being established showing commercial mediation as a separate form of dispute resolution.

2. Listing of Members and Commercial Mediators

At present mediators who wish to join ICMA and have their practice listed on the web site, may do so without scrutiny. They join and choose to promote their expertise on a self-regulatory basis with the requirement that they accept the EU code of conduct for mediators as part of their profile. This practice is to continue.

Individuals, who simply wish to support the ICMA, may join as ordinary members promoting the concepts of commercial mediation without putting their name forward as a mediator.

That having been said, ICMA should promote itself as a source for a listing of mediators, no matter what their qualifications. Having said that, ICMA is also happy to list the experience and training of any member wishing to promote themselves as a commercial mediation.

3. Links with Professional and Representative Bodies

Since ICMA started with its mission to be “the umbrella organisation for all those involved with commercial mediation “, strategic links to representative and professional bodies are part of the objectives which the Association set for itself. The links should be on a formal basis where ICMA and the respective organisation are clear as to their respective roles.

The original working structure of ICMA proposed that professional associations and representative bodies would be represented on Council. Whilst this has happened informally to some extent, and insofar as some members of Council wear more than one hat, it is recommended that the links to the bodies which council members are involved with, have be more formally recognised.

In addition, it is suggested that ICMA’s strategy and objectives should be underpinned by formal (though not necessarily requiring Council representation) relationships with various organisations through some or all of the following types of relationships:
 

• Alliances - With Organisations (nationally and internationally) interested in the promotion of Commercial Mediation, where defined programmes, such as linked web sites, seminars, workshops and the sharing of information can occur.
• Partnerships - To pilot niche services, such as a mediator’s data base. e.g. service providers
• Joint Ventures - For education and dissemination of information e.g. road-shows in conjunction with training bodies
• Recognition of Excellence – through an award scheme for individuals who practice Commercial Mediation, e.g. perhaps with commercial bodies as sponsors.

4. The support for the Regulation of Commercial Mediation and of Mediators

Organisations that represent mediators will draw up their own criteria and offer themselves as a body with their own standards and regulations. ICMA welcomes such organisations and subject to Council approval, has a place on Council for such bodies.


The Future Role of ICMA

It is worth stating that: -
The goal for ICMA is to become a fully networked organisation, a respected source of information for matters relating to commercial mediation and a supporter of professional development and a promoter of Commercial Mediation generally.

AF March 2007.