Mediation, the facilitated discussion of disputes and conflicts, is a flexible approach that can be used at all levels of intervention to move us toward a global peace that is both inclusive and fair. This volume, edited by Jan Marie Fritz, brings together mediators, scholar-practitioners, and a veteran diplomat to discuss the life and times of mediation in very different settings. 
The 14 chapters include three essays about culture, creativity, and models/theories/approaches. And there are ten chapters about practice: community mediation, mediation by police, special education mediation; interventions on behalf of widows in Nigeria; capacity-building work in Burundi; mediation in Israel; the creative facilitation of meetings; community conferencing; UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women and Peace and Security) and the role of civil society organizations in peacebuilding. 
This volume discusses the expanding roles - from prevention through societal transformation - assumed by mediators and the urgent need for mediators working at different intervention levels to learn from each other.  This volume is a must read for scholars, researchers, policymakers, civil society representatives and practitioners with interests in effective dispute and conflict intervention.  It particularly is recommended for those managing dispute and conflict intervention processes.

Jan Marie Fritz, Ph.D., a Certified Clinical Sociologis (CCS), is Professor of Health Policy and Planning in the School of Planning at the University of Cincinnati. She also is affiliated with the Department of Women's Studies and the Department of Sociology. She is the author or editor of more than 90 publications including six editions of The Clinical Sociology Resource Book and publications on mediation in French and Italian. She is a vice president of the International Sociological Association (an approximately 4000 member organization based in Spain), and a former president of national and international practice organizations. She has been a mediator for 25 years for small claims, equal employment opportunity, special education and workplace disputes. She also has facilitated organizational and community meetings concerned with dispute analysis and resolution. She teaches mediation and environmental dispute resolution at the University of Cincinnati, has trained mediators in Italy and the United States, is a former member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's,  National Environmental Justice Advisory Council's committee on research and health, and has given presentations about mediation in many countires including Australia, Greece, Venezuela, South Africa and Japan.

1 Introduction by Jan Marie Fritz.- 2 Cultural Considerations by Jan Marie Fritz.- 3 Creativity by Jan Marie Fritz.- 4 Mediation Models, Theories, and Approaches by Jan Marie Fritz.- 5 Community Mediation in the United States - Cheryl Cutrona .- 6 Police and Mediation: Natural, Unimaginable or Both - Maria R. Volpe.- 7 Intervening in Special Education Cases - Jan Marie Fritz.- 8. Problem-Solving Mediation in Israel - Ariella Vraneski.- 9 The Art of Facilitation - Jan Marie Fritz.- 10 Conflict Intervention on Behalf of Widows: Notes from Enugu State in Nigeria - Eleanor Ann Nwadinobi.- 11 Promoting Positive Peace One Block at a Time: Lessons from Innovative Community Conferencing Programs - Lauren Abramson and David B.Moore.- 12 Capacity Building in Conflict Management on a Community Level: The Case of Burundi  - Jenny Theron Kervarrec and Jerome Sachane.- 13 UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Inclusive Peacebuilding and Countries in Transition - Jan Marie Fritz.- 14 The Role and Effectiveness of Non-governmental Third Parties in Peacebuilding - Diana Chigas.