Intercultural Fluency: Face and Communication in Mediation

Welcome to our online event on Intercultural Fluency: Face and Communication in Mediation! Join us for an insightful discussion on the importance of understanding cultural nuances in mediation.

In today's interconnected world, international commercial mediators must navigate not only legal and business complexities but also the intricate nuances of culture. Success in mediation requires more than just technical expertise—it demands cultural agility and a deep understanding of how communication is shaped by cultural values.

This webinar will begin with an exploration of culture in a broad sense before delving into Hofstede’s framework, a powerful tool for understanding cultural dimensions and their impact on communication. We will then focus on the critical concept of "face"—its role in different cultural contexts, its influence on conflict resolution, and how it shapes trust and relationships in mediation.

Participants will gain practical insights into:

• Understanding the impact of cultural values on mediation dynamics
• Applying Hofstede’s framework to navigate cultural differences effectively
• Recognizing and addressing face concerns to foster trust and rapport
• Adapting communication styles to align with diverse face contexts

Meet the speaker:

Joel Lee is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, the National University of Singapore. Joel co-pioneered the teaching of Negotiation and Mediation in the Singapore Universities and has played a significant role in furthering the development of mediation in Singapore, not just in education but in practice. A graduate of Victoria University of Wellington and Harvard Law Schools, Joel is a principal mediator with the Singapore Mediation Centre and a Master Trainer with Peacemakers.

Joel was a member of the International Mediation Institute's Independent Standards Commission and Intercultural Taskforce and was also a key member of the Ministry of Law’s Working Group on International Commercial Mediation. Joel is presently the founding Chair of the Board of the Singapore International Mediation Institute. He is also a Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Joel has taught overseas at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), University of Law, Economics and Science of Aix-Marseille (Aix-en-Provence France) and Anglia Law School (UK) and is the co-editor and co- author of the book "An Asian Perspective on Mediation" and the “Singapore Mediation Handbook”, and the General Editor for the Asian Journal on Mediation. In 2011, Joel was awarded the Outstanding Educator Award which is the National University of Singapore's highest teaching award. Joel was also awarded the Singapore’s Public Service Medal in 2023 for his work in promoting mediation.