The Mediation Week 2024, a biennial event organised by the Department of Justice (DoJ), was officially launched today (May 6). The five-day programme, themed "Mediate First - Bridge Cultures, Build Futures", features a series of thematic events and the Mediation Conference 2024 to promote the use of mediation in various sectors. The Mediation Week opening was marked by the thematic event: School Mediation Seminar this morning.

     The School Mediation Seminar, titled "Mediation: Fostering School-Family-Community Partnerships", featured a panel discussion where experienced mediators, educators, students and parents talked about how they have successfully used mediation techniques to resolve conflicts in school settings with practical tips and lessons learned from their mediation experiences. It was followed by a sharing session where winners of the Mediation Essay Competition 2024 shared their views on mediation and insights about their awarded essays. A prize presentation ceremony for the competition was held after the session. Concluding the seminar, the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, delivered his closing remarks and officiated at the "Mediate First" Pledge Signing Ceremony for Students.

     The seminar aiming to nurture the culture of mediation among students and the education sector was well received, attracting about 400 registrations for participation on-site and online. The DoJ will continue its dedicated efforts in promoting the use of mediation as an amicable means to resolve disputes in various sectors, thereby consolidating Hong Kong's status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region.

     Fully supported by the two legal professional bodies in Hong Kong, and other legal and dispute resolution services organisations, as well as government departments and relevant organisations, the Mediation Week 2024 will also feature the following events this week:

May 7
* Workplace Mediation Seminar - Happy Work Happy Life: Use of mediation in employee's compensation claims and other workplace disputes

May 8
* Consumer Mediation Seminar - "Click, Cart, Click: Consumer Dispute Resolution in the Digital Age"

May 9
* The Splendor of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Family Court

May 10
* Flagship event: Mediation Conference 2024

     For more details of the Mediation Week 2024, please visit the dedicated website at mediationweek2024.com.

Ends/Monday, May 6, 2024
Issued at HKT 12:42

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