Twenty-three mediators enhanced their knowledge on unconscious processes in mediation through a training activity, organised on 27 and 28 February 2023 in Kakheti region. The aim of the training was to improve mediators’ ability to handle complex disputes and ultimately contribute to the quality of mediation in civil cases.

During the training, participants were introduced to psychological theories about the working of the unconscious mind, concepts of biases (including gender bias, in-group bias etc.) and how unconscious moral judgments can affect the perception and judgments of mediators. The participants actively engaged in the training through discussions that aimed to identify existing biases. As a group exercise, the mediators were able to create a debiasing checklist that they can use while getting prepared or while engaging in a mediation.

The training was organised by the Council of Europe Project “Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in Georgia.”