Elevating Mediation and ADR Standards at the 6th AMA Conference

The 6th Asian Mediation Association (AMA) Conference, hosted by the Supreme Court of the Philippines in support from the Office of the Court Administrator and the Philippine Judicial Academy, took place from October 15-16, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City. Themed “Harmony and Strategic Innovations in Mediation and ADR,” the conference aims to bring together local and international experts, ADR practitioners, academics, and advocates from across Asia and beyond to explore the future of mediation and its role in promoting peace and justice.

In her keynote address, Hon. Rosmari Carandang, Chancellor of the Philippine Judicial Academy, emphasized the need for innovative approaches to mediation and ADR to ensure justice systems remain accessible, efficient, and equitable. She highlighted key areas such as family mediation, cross-cultural justice, environmental disputes, and the integration of artificial intelligence, stressing the transformative power of mediation, which reflects humanity’s collective desire for harmony in a world where conflicts are inevitable.

The two-day event featured eight sessions designed to promote dialogue and knowledge exchange on a wide range of topics related to mediation and ADR. These sessions included discussions on Family Mediation led by retired Philippine Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro; Access to Justice and Dispute Resolution Across Cultures by Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha of the Supreme Court of India; and The Use of Mediation in Managing Environmental Disputes presented by Atty. Brenda Jay C. Angeles-Mendoza from the ADR Department of PHILJA. Additional sessions focused on Community Dispute Resolution in the Philippine Context with Atty. Irene D.T. Alogoc; Enhancing International Dispute Resolution Capabilities for the Complex Global Business Environment with Dr. Alfred Chan from the Hong Kong Mediation Centre; and a Survey of Online Dispute Resolution Platforms by Mr. Anil Xavier of the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation. Discussions also addressed Artificial Intelligence as a Tool in Mediation by Mr. Daryl Chew; and Ethical Challenges in the Age of Digital Mediation presented by Mr. Chern Yang See of the Singapore International Mediation Institute.

Hon. Alfredo Caguiao, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, also addressed the conference, underscoring mediation as an essential alternative to conventional court proceedings. “The foremost aspiration of mediation is to resolve disputes within the framework of the rule of law,” Caguiao said, emphasizing that with an increasingly interconnected world, cross-border conflicts have become common, necessitating collective and global efforts to resolve them.

The event welcomed First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos as the guest of honor, underscoring the conference’s significance in advancing the Philippine judiciary’s goals of making justice more accessible through ADR mechanisms. Distinguished speakers participated in sessions designed to stimulate insights on enhancing ADR techniques and adapting to evolving regional and global challenges. This conference promotes cooperation among ADR professionals across Asia, strengthening the regional mediation landscape. Established to foster mediation application across the continent, the AMA has previously held conferences in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia. The 6th AMA Conference represents a critical step toward advancing mediation as a preferred method for resolving disputes, ensuring that justice remains accessible, particularly in a world where conflicts transcend borders. (NELSON SANTOS)