Eighteen New Mediators Welcomed by Andre Ebanks MP

28th November 2024

A reception hosted by the Bould Foundation at Callaloo on Friday (22^nd November) saw 18 freshly trained conflict resolution specialists, more widely known as mediators, welcomed to their new roles and skillsets by the former DPM Andre Ebanks MP and the principals of the Bould Foundation, Mr Martyn Bould MBE and Mrs Vivian Bould. The event praised the commitment and hard work of the mediators during their week of training at the Cayman Islands Mediation and Arbitration Centre (the CI-MAC at 90 North Church Street) where Director of the Centre Megan Paget-Brown has created a region leading base of dispute resolution.

… Megan commented: "It was a pleasure to host delegates from a diverse range of professional backgrounds at CI-MAC for this training course. They gained valuable insights from the international faculty of the London-based Society of Mediators, led by Middle Temple barrister Jonathan Dingle FRSA. The course was dynamic and engaging, offering participants a variety of perspectives and hands-on learning opportunities through case study scenarios. The different approaches to conflict resolution were well received, and thanks to the comprehensive training and the dedication of the delegates, there was a 100% pass rate for the course. Delegates are already eagerly anticipating the refresher event, tentatively scheduled for February 11th."

Course Leader Jonathan Dingle urges attendees to listen more than talk

The training covered all aspects of contemporary dispute resolution from construction to community conflicts and management to media disputes. A mix of workshops and case studies, with adventurous acting featuring Michael McLaughlin and other well-known thespians were very well received.

At the reception, Andre Ebanks MP told the delegates that he was delighted and impressed by their achievements and he welcomed the initiative. “Mediation, which allows people quickly and effectively to resolve conflicts in business or commerce, the workplace or communities, is what Cayman needs to see across every walk of life. Helping people to find effective solutions to complex or challenging problems and empowering Caymanians to take the lead role is what this project is about and I am delighted that it will return with another course next year.”

Mr Bould added; “I have been passionate about mediation’s place in the community since training in 2010. I advocate it in construction and see that it should be embedded in our Islands’ way of life. I am delighted that Jonathan Dingle and his team have brought this idea to a reality and shall now work to ensure, with Andre Ebanks, that it continues to grow.”

Delegates have identified options in the fields of education including through peer mediation in schools run by children and school students, and in restorative justice offering better outcomes from criminal sentences. The Society of Mediators will be following these up in February 2025 with a view to making them part of schools and prison culture later next year.

The enthusiasm and thanks of each person attending the course was palpable, and thanks were described as “special and amazing opportunity”, ”thank you for everything a valuable skill to last a lifetime, “cannot thank you enough for this incredible opportunity”

… In a final word, Megan Paget-Brown said “The new mediators come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, and being a lawyer is not a requirement. In fact, the majority of delegates had no legal background but proved to be adept at resolving a broad range of commercial and community conflicts. It was a fantastic week, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for CI-MAC and the Cayman Islands.”