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Mr. Laurie Greyvenstein, t he Director of the Social Justice Foundation and Chairperson of the Social Justice Association of ADR Practitioners (SJA), is pleased to announce that our organizations will be hosting the 5th Annual Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Conference on September 5th and 6th, 2024. This year, we are excited to collaborate with the University of Cape Town Law Faculty for the first time, marking a significant milestone in our efforts to promote ADR practices in the pursuit of social justice.
The theme for this year's conference is "Mediation Goes Mainstream." We believe that mediation, as a form of dispute resolution, is increasingly becoming a mainstream choice for resolving conflicts in various sectors and contexts. This theme underscores the growing recognition of mediation's effectiveness, accessibility, and its potential to foster positive social change.
We invite scholars, practitioners, policymakers, activists, and students to submit abstracts for papers and presentations that explore various aspects of mediation's mainstream adoption.
Topics of interest may include, but are not limited to:
- The role of mediation in promoting access to justice
- Mediation and social justice: addressing power imbalances and promoting inclusivity
- Emerging trends and innovations in mediation practice
- Ethical considerations in mainstream mediation
- The intersection of mediation with technology and online dispute resolution
- Mediation in specific contexts (e.g., family disputes, workplace conflicts, medical negligence disputes, ombudsman disputes, restorative justice)
- Comparative perspectives on mediation practices globally
- Mediation and community engagement: empowering marginalized voices
- The impact of cultural and social factors on mediation processes
- Challenges and opportunities in mainstreaming mediation in legal systems
Submission Guidelines:
- Abstracts should be no more than 300 words in length.
- Please include a brief bio (maximum 150 words) highlighting your affiliation and relevant experience.
- Submissions should be sent via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. CC to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by April 20, 2024.
Accepted presenters will be notified by May 15, 2024, and will be invited to develop full papers or presentations for the conference. Selected papers may also be considered for publication in our conference proceedings or affiliated journals.
We believe that your insights and contributions will enrich our discussions and help advance the field of ADR, particularly in the context of access to justice. We look forward to your participation in this exciting event.
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact my PA Ms Raeleen Haskins at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thank you for your attention, and we anticipate receiving your submissions.