Twenty-four people have been trained in commercial mediation to equip them with skills to be able to resolve commercial disputes out of court.Bernadette Uwicyeza, the Kigali International Arbitrational Centre (KIAC) secretary general, said the training aimed at improving the capacity and knowledge of the participants as well as encouraging mediation as a cost-effective dispute resolution mechanism. The training was attended by lawyers, university lecturers, engineers, architects, bankers and procurement specialists.The Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), a UK-based institution that specialises in commercial mediator training and accreditation, conducted the training on behalf of KIAC.“The training is in line with KIAC’s commitment to promote a culture of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Rwanda and in the region,” said Uwicyeza.The training handled issues on process and skills for effective mediation, dynamics of negotiation, techniques and ethics of mediation and mediation in commercial disputes.The participants will later be certified as CEDR accredited mediators. This is an internationally recognised standard of excellence. The accreditation will make them KIAC’s first pool of mediators.The training was funded by Investment Climate Facility for Africa under the Alternative Dispute Resolution Project in KIAC.
