ODR Best Practices and Certification

InternetBar has been working with their partner institution IBOinstitute to create a set of training programs that will culminate in a certification process for Online Dispute Resolution (ODR). This process will help to create a standard for ODR third party mediators online giving them: a background in available ODR technology, cross cultural communications skills, arbitration training, and educating them on concerns related to online communications.

The point of this process is to create pathways for justice, and retribution online - especially for problems and issues that would otherwise be too costly (both monetarily and in time) to mediate or resolve in a physical setting (such as a court or face to face contact). If access to justice can be available through online platforms that can be viewed from a variety of hardware technologies, it opens accessible pathways to justice and rule of law even in remote or economically disadvantaged locations.

InternetBar and IBOinstitute are working together to form both these training programs, and a set of best practices and guiding principles for ODR certification. To this end a wiki has been created which may be accessed here . InternetBar and IBOinstitute encourage all cyberweek participants to comment on the questions in this wiki regardless of expertise or background.

Thank you!

Jeff Aresty & Gillian Neer