General Secretariat

The first project was the publication of a guide to international family mediation practice intended to families and professionals supporting or accompanying these families.

The ISS Guide to International Family Mediation is available in Arabic, Bulgarian, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Click here to order a paperback version of the Guide.

Why a guide?

Few families know they have the opportunity to use mediation for issues of divorce, separation and parental rights in cross-border situations. The belief that conflicts involving two countries can only be settled through legal procedures still prevails.

The Guide's content:

The guide includes information, testimonies, studies and experiences reflecting the many benefits as well as the limits of cross-border family mediation; it highlights the articulation between mediation practice and the law and was drafted in conformity with all legislations and mediation practices. An entire section consists of practical advice to parents concerning preparation and access to mediation and reliable information on their legal situation, as well as contents of mediation agreements.

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The second project was a multilingual web platform which allows a wider access to reliable and continuously updated information on international family mediation. It contains the ISS Guide adapted to the web format, a directory by country to help families involved in cross-border family conflicts and professionals of the psycho-social and legal fields to find public services and charitable organisations that can provide assistance (authorities for cross-border disputes, social and child welfare services, etc.)

Access the website on this link: www.ifm-mfi.org 

Read more about the project

The third project was to gather mediators specialised in cross-border disputes from all the continents to jointly elaborate and draft an international charter of professional conduct, as well as a set of best practices.

The Charter, published in 2017, is the fruit of an international working group of 55 professional mediators who serve as representatives and come from all seven continents. All established and recognised structures specialising in international family mediation across the world were part of this Collaborative Process. As an international document of reference, The Charter serves as a medium to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between mediators and administrative and legal bodies; for this reason, the initial work of the group took place in parallel to an international conference on child protection, focusing in particular on The Hague Convention of 1996 (read Conference Report).

As collectively decided in May 2017 in Geneva, this collaboration was being pursued with the aim to create a Global Network of International Family Mediators.

Read the Charter for International Family Mediation Processes (in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish) and the How to Use (in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish).

These documents are also available in WORD format: Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

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Approximately 60 examples of Good Practices related to IFM and cross-border family conflicts were elaborated at the 2015 Geneva Meeting (read the Summary of Best Practices). To present them in an accessible and easy-to-use format, ISS created a virtual, multilingual and collaborative workplace for mediation practitioners. The principal purposes of The Platform are to facilitate networking and to share information amongst mediators around the world. Registered participants can discuss the examples of Good Practices by country, upload or download documents, share information on events / trainings / conferences related to IFM, provide feedback on trainings, find other mediators' contacts and send private messages.

Access the Platform on this link: www.ifm-mfi.org/testmediation

The Charter for International Family Mediation Processes was agreed on and published by a group of qualified international family mediators from all the continents, the Collaborative Process. In May 2017, this international group decided that a global professional network of international family mediators should be created to ensure the protection of children involved in parental conflicts. It was determined that the objective of such a network is to facilitate searches for competent and qualified international family mediators working in all regions of the world, and to reinforce cooperation with administrative and legal authorities (read the Report of the Meeting).

The appointed by the ISS GS Interim Steering Committee (ISC) worked for 12 months and drafted a Proposal to the Collaborative Process, which includes the Terms of References (ToR) of the future Network and an Action Plan for next 2-3 years (read the ISC Proposal). The Final Report of the Programme presents a summary of this Proposal.

In addition, the ISS GS created an institutional Review Board composed of a number of political organisations and institutions dealing with cross-border family conflicts in all regions. This Board reviewed the ISC Proposal and provided its feedback regarding the future Network.

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What is international family mediation?

Go to www.ifm-mfi.org for more information.

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For which families can international family mediation be helpful?

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Who to Contact for Cross-border Family Conflicts?

• On the website www.ifm-mfi.org, you can access its Country information section where you can find international family mediation services and psycho-social support as well as your specific country Central Authority contact information;
• Central Authorities under the Hague Convention (generally working in collaboration with one of the following Ministries: Justice, Family, Health, Foreign and Social Affairs);
• Central Contact Points for international family mediation;
• AIFI (Association internationale francophone des intervenants auprès des familles séparées);
• Network of Cross-border Family Mediators;
• National Associations for Family Mediation;
• International Social Service (ISS);
• Specialised agencies in international family law;
• Legal support systems;
• Social services;
• Consulates and embassies.

What sources of reference are available for International Family Mediation?

Litterature on family mediation

• D'URSEL Damien, La médiation entre tradition et modernités familiales, Presses Universitaires de Louvain, 2010.
• DE ROUVROIT LAMBERT Alix, La médiation familiale transnationale, Origine, développement, et perspectives d'un processus novateur, Mémoire présenté en vue de l'obtention du diplôme de Master en Droit sous la supervision du Professeur Marc Fallon, Université Catholique de Louvain, 23 August 2010.
• GANANCIA Danièle, La médiation familiale internationale. La diplomatie du cœur dans les enlèvements d'enfants, Editions érès, Trajets, Ramonville Saint-Agne, 2007.
• GEORGE Rob, JUDD Frances, GARRIDO Damian, WORWOOD Anna, Relocation. A Practical Guide, an indispensable guide for anyone working in this complex and fast changing area of law and practice. Jordan Publishing, 2013.
• KESHAVJEE Mohamed, Islam, Shari'a and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mechanisms for Legal Redress in the Muslim Community. Published by I.B. Tauris, 2013.
• PARKINSON Lisa, Appropriate Dispute Resolution in a new family justice system, Jordan Publishing Ltd., 2011.
• PARKINSON Lisa, Family Mediation, Appropriate Dispute Resolution in a new family justice system. Jordan Publishing Limited, Bristol, 2011.
• PAUL Christoph C., KIESEWETTER Sybille, Cross-Border Mediation. Foreign and International Legal Provisions. Mediation über Grenzen. Ausländische und internationale Rechtsnormen. Online Publication, 2011.
• PAUL Christoph C., KIESEWETTER Sybille (Hrsg.), Mediation bei internationalen Kindschaftskonflikten. München, 2009.
• PEKAR A., SALZER J. et COLSON A., Méthode de Médiation. Au cœur de la conciliation, Editions Dunod, Paris, 2008.
• ROBERTS Marian, Developing the Craft of Mediation, Reflections on Theory and Practice. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2007.
• ŞUSTAC Zeno Daniel, WALKER Jamie, IGNAT Claudiu, CIUCA Anca Elisabeta, LUNGU Sanda Elena, Best practice guide on the use of mediation in cross-border cases. Ministry of justice Rumania (Hrsg.), 2013.
• ZERMATTEN Jean, L'Intérêt Supérieur de l'Enfant. De l'analyse littérale à la portée philosophique, Institut International des Droits de l'Enfant, Working Report 3-2003.

Articles on International Family Mediation

• BUCHER A., "The new Swiss Federal Act on International Child Abduction", Journal of Private International Law, vol. 4, No. 2, 2008.
• BUCK T., "An evaluation of the long-term effectiveness of mediation in case of international parental child abduction", Reunite International Child Abduction Center, 2012.
• CARL E., COPIN J-P., RIPKE L., "Le projet pilote franco-allemand de médiation familiale professionnelle. Un modèle de collaboration internationale dans le cadre des conflits familiaux".
• DE VROEDE Nadia, "Médiation familiale internationale, Préface", Scientific Journal of AIFI, vol. 1, No. 2, Editions Yvon Blais, Canada, 2008.
• DOBIEJEWSKA Elzbieta, "La Médiation familiale dans le contexte polonaise", translation of Grazyna Karbowska, Scientific Journal of AIFI, Vol. 1, No. 2, Editions Yvon Blais, Canada, 2008.
• GREENHOUSE Carol J., "Mediation: A comparative approach", in Man, New Series, Vol. 20, No. 1, Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, March 1985, pp. 90-114.
• IRANI G.E., "Islamic Mediation Techniques for Middle East Conflicts", Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol. 3, No. 2, June 1999.
• KESHAVJEE M. M., "Family Mediation in the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim Community - Institutional Structures, Training and Practice", 7th European Conference on Family Law "International Family Mediation", Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 16 March 2009.
• KESHAVJEE M. M., "Multiculturalism and the challenges it poses to legal education and alternative dispute resolution: The situation of British Muslims' studies address to the department of peace studies", University of Bradford, The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2004.
• KESHAVJEE M. M., "Alternative Dispute Resolution: Its Resonance in Muslim Thought and Future Directions", The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2002.
• Ministry of justice Romania, "Informative guide concerning cross-border mediation in civil matters in the European Union" (leaflet), European Union Specific Programme Civil Justice, 2010.
• PAUL C. C., WALKER J., "A Case for Mediation: Family Mediation in International Child Custody Conflicts", World Arbitration & Mediation Review (WAMR), Vol. 1, No. 4, JurisNet LLC Huntington, New York, USA.
• STALFORD H., "Crossing boundaries: reconciling law, culture and values in international family mediation", Journal of Social Welfare & Family Law, 32(2), 2010.
• TOURRILHES C., "La médiation, innovation sociale ou nouveau mode de régulation ? Vers des espaces tiers de socialisation", Pensée Plurielle 2008/2, No. 18, pp. 109-120.
• WALL A. J., STARK J.B., STANDFER R.L., "Mediation: A Current Review and Theory Development", The Journal of Conflicts Resolution, Vol. 45, No. 3, Sage Publications, Inc., June 2001, pp. 370-391.

Articles on the place of the child in family mediation

• ACHIM J., CYR F., FILION L., "L'implication de l'enfant en médiation familiale: de la théorie à la pratique", in Revue Québécoise de psychologie, Vol. 18, No. 1, 1997.
• COUTANCEAU Roland, DAHAN Jocelyne, "La parole de l'enfant. La vérité sort-elle toujours de la bouche des enfants ?", Dunod, Paris, 2016.
• International Judicial Conference on cross-border family relocation: Washington Declaration on Family Relocation, 23-25 March 2010.
• MCINTOSH J.E., WELLS Y.D., SMYTH B.M., LONG C.M., "Child-focused and Child-inclusive Divorce Mediation: Comparative Outcomes from a Prospective Study of Post separation Adjustment", in Family Court Review, Vol. 46, No. 1, January 2008, pp. 105-124.

Research & Studies on International Family Mediation

• Reunite International Child Abduction Centre, Reasearch Unit, Mediation In International Parental Child Abduction, 2006.
• FREEMAN Marilyn, International Centre for Family and Law, Policy and Practice, "Parental Child Abduction: The Long-Term Effects", 2014.

Publications by ISS members

Articles:

• AUERBACH Stephan, "L'approche basée sur la médiation", Rapport Annuel 2005, International Social Service, the Swiss Fondation.
• AUERBACH Stephan, "Au service de l'intérêt supérieur de l'enfant. La médiation familiale internationale au sein du Service Social International", Colloquium AIFI, 24 May 2007.
• CARATSCH Cilgia, "La médiation familiale internationale. Observations sur son établissement institutionnel", Mémoire de DUM soumis à l'IUKB, submitted 29 June 2012.
• CHOUCHANI HATEM Rita, "La différence culturelle vécue au quotidien dans les couples mixte franco-libanais", Scientific Journal of AIFI, Vol. 1, No. 2, Editions Yvon Blais, Canada, 2008.
• REYNAUD DE LA JARA Kristine, "La médiation familiale internationale dans le contexte des enlèvements d'enfants. Le regard du Service International", Scientific Journal of AIFI, Vol. I, autumn 2007.
• ISS Australia, "Hague Children's Conventions: The need for an Advocacy Response to Protect Children in the Context of International Parental Child abduction".
• ISS Australia, "Living in Limbo. The experience of International Parental Child Abduction, the call for a national support service", February 2005.
• ISS Germany, "The development of mediation, conciliation and similar means to facilitate agreed solutions in cross-border family disputes concerning children (especially in the context of The Hague Conventions of 1980 and 1996)", An International Review by International Social Service, 29 August 2006.
• ISS Switzerland, ISS Germany, ISS General Secretariat, "Children in cross-border family conflicts, The approach of International Social Service for facilitating amicable solutions in their best interests in the context of The Hague Conventions of 1980 and 1996", Geneva/Berlin, 2 August 2006.

Project evaluations:

• ISS Australia, Final Project Report, Children in Cross-Border Family Conflicts: The child-centred, mediation-based approach of International Social Service, 31 October 2007.
• ISS Switzerland, Training Seminar, Children in Cross-Border Family Conflicts: The child-centred, mediation-based approach of International Social Service, Final project report for the ISS Bureau of ExCo meeting, Genève, 20-23 April 2008.

Colloquia and Conferences

• JOURNEE SARAH OBERSON 2006, Couples déchirés, enfants en danger. Les enlèvements internationaux d'enfants, Jean Zermatten, Paola Riva Gapany (Eds.), Sion, June 2007.
• AIFI (Association Internationale Francophone des Intervenants auprès des familles séparées), Guide de bonnes pratiques en médiation familiale à distance et internationale, présenté au Bureau permanent de la Conférence de La Haye de droit international privé, 25 January 2008.

The Hague Conference on International Private Law

• Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Concluded on 25th October 1980).
• Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (Concluded on 19th October 1996).
• Declaration of the Malta Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Family Law Issues Hosted by the Government of Malta in Collaboration with the Hague Conference on Private International Law (on 14-17th March 2004).
• Declaration of the Second Malta Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Family Law Issues Hosted by the Government of Malta in Collaboration with the Hague Conference on Private International Law (on 19-22nd March 2006).
• Declaration of the Third Malta Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Family Law Issues Hosted by the Government of Malta in Collaboration with the Hague Conference on Private International Law (on 23-26th March 2009).
• Permanent Bureau of The Hague Conference on Private International Law, Feasibility Study on Cross-Border Mediation in Family Matters (20 March 2007).
• Feasibility Study on Cross-Border Mediation in Family Matters - Responses to the Questionnaire (10 March 2008).
• VIGERS Sarah, Note on the Development of Mediation, Conciliation and Similar Means to facilitate Agreed Solutions in Cross-border Family Disputes Concerning Children Especially in the Context of the Hague Convention of 1980, The Hague Conference on Private International Law (5 October 2006).

European Commission & Council of Europe

• European Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions concerning Custody of Children and on Restoration of Custody of Children, 1980.
• Recommendation No. R(98)1 adopted by the Committee of Ministers to Member States on Family Mediation of the Council of Europe, on 21 January 1998 at the 616th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies.
• Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000.
• European Network of National Observatories on Childhood, Family Mediation in the European Union, Survey, ChildONEurope Secretariat, Luxemburg, June 2005.
• Practice Guide for the Application of the New Brussels II Regulation, (Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000), Updated version 1 June 2005.
• Academy of European Law (E.R.A.), "Family Mediation in Europe", Trier, 31 May 2006.
• European Forum, Training and Research in Family Mediation, European Congress on Family Mediation, « Mediating with Families: from the Traditional Conflicts to the Actual Social Problems», organized by the I.T.e.R. Istituto di Terapia Relazionale, Caserta, Italy, 28 September 2006.
• DUNCAN William, "The Work of the Hague Conference in the Field of International Family Mediation", 7th European Conference on Family Law "International Family Mediation", Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 16 March 2009.

Statistics

• LOWE Nigel, The 2003 Statistical Survey, The judges' Newsletter, Vol. 11, 2006.
• LOWE Nigel, Analyse statistique des demandes déposées en 2003 en application de la Convention de La Haye du 25 octobre 1980 sur les aspects civils de l'enlèvement international d'enfants, Partie I, Rapport Général, mise à jour de l'année 2007.
• LOWE Nigel, A statistical analysis of applications made in 2008 under the Hague convention of 25 October 1980 on the civil aspects of international child abduction: Part I global report, 2011.