Training and education are central to the IBA-VIAC CDRC Mediation & Negotiation Competition (CDRC Vienna) and we took the CDRC Vienna 2024: Training Tomorrow’s Leaders very seriously. CDRC Assessors generously provided invaluable training, shared their immense skill and experience, and offered top-tier guidance, feedback, and mentorship to the students. In addition, workshops on game theory, the use of mediation to increase economic activity in developing nations, and well-being and diversity in the field of mediation, complemented the extensive training and education program.
Workshop on Game Theory
The workshop on game theory was organised by the Austrian Association for Negotiation and Conflict Management (AANCM). It provided participants with a deep dive into the strategic decision-making processes using game theory, a mathematical framework used to analyse interactions where the outcomes depend on the actions of multiple agents. It is highly relevant to mediation and negotiation. In highly interactive, practical sessions, participants learned about the Nash equilibrium, the prisoner’s dilemma, and zero-sum games, and how they can be applied to understand and anticipate the behaviour of parties in mediation scenarios. In real-world case studies, participants could explore how to leverage game theory to design strategies that lead to mutually beneficial outcomes, making this workshop an invaluable resource for seasoned professionals and newcomers seeking to enhance their negotiation skills.
Workshop on the transformative potential of mediation as a tool for economic development
This workshop was organised by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and UNCITRAL. It focused on the case of Iraq where mediation is promoted as a pragmatic, cost-effective alternative for resolving disputes that could otherwise stall business ventures or deter investment, and which recently signed the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (or Singapore Convention on Mediation). Participants received an update on the current work of UNCITRAL, including their supporting work in developing states.
The session also explored how mediation has been successfully used to resolve commercial disputes, facilitate cross-border trade, and promote a stable business environment in Iraq. From experienced experts, who work on the ground in Iraq, participants received first-hand insights into the unique challenges posed, and opportunities offered by, implementing mediation frameworks in developing nations. Moreover, they heard how such frameworks can catalyze economic growth by fostering trust, reducing transaction costs, and creating a more predictable business climate. Finally, the CDRC Vienna 2024: Training Tomorrow’s Leaders offered a unique platform to brainstorm with a large group of experts questions relating to the issue.
Workshops on Well-Being and Diversity in the Field of Mediation and Negotiation
The workshops on well-being and diversity in mediation and negotiation practice launched CDRCWell+, an integral part of the CDRC Vienna. It is the world’s first comprehensive and integral well-being, diversity, and inclusion program for a moot competition. CDRCWell+ took place for the first time as part of the CDRC VIenna 2024.
Sessions were offered by CDRC Assessors who shared best practices for managing stress, preventing burnout, and ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented and valued in the decision-making processes. CDRCWell+ also offered yoga, boxing, and meditation classes. They were designed to support the personal and professional growth of the participants. We could offer the Yoga and boxing classes thanks to the generous support of Baker McKenzie.
With CDRCWell+, we respond to the growing recognition that mental health, diversity, and inclusion have a direct impact on professional performance. Placed at the forefront of promoting holistic practices within the field of mediation and negotiation, CDRCWell+ integrates well-being, diversity, and inclusion into the fabric of the CDRC Vienna, prioritizing the health, accessibility, and inclusivity of all participants, and elevating the standards of mediation practice. CDRCWell+ seeks to inspire positive change on a global scale.
