Official URL: http://kennedyinstitute.nuim.ie/journal-of-mediati...

Conflict is a natural part of life. Yet when faced with difficult situations people can slip into adversarial and destructive behaviours that exacerbate reactivity, causing an escalation into estrangements and violence. Thoughtful and strategic management of likely circumstances known to cause difficulties could ameliorate such reactions. The first two articles in this second publication of JMACA examine elements of the root causes of issues that spark such hazards and seek to find ways forward that enable the continued connection, engagement and working through of these troubled situations. The two articles that follow demonstrate how such thoughtful processes can work in practice, the inclusion of children in mediation and restorative circles in prison. The next article is the presentation of a research study on mediation ideology which examines the philosophical and ideological underpinnings of the base of different forms of mediation practice including their impact on mediation outcome. Two case studies follow, reflective articles about experience. The first records the development of an action plan by an individual with a goal of connecting a peace process in Mali to the Irish peace process with the object of mutual learning. The second case study reflects on the impact of the downturn in the Irish economy on separating couples in mediation. Two of the editors review the Choreography of Resolution, in the final article; a publication they found to be a challenging and fascinating read.