The Promise of Spirituality in Mediation: The Significance of Spiritual-Based and Faith-Based Approaches in Mediation

Authors

Debra Jones, Utah State UniversityFollow
Alexia Georgakopoulos, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Abstract

This article advocates greater exploration and incorporation of spirituality or religion in the mediation process. As religious or spiritual values constitute an element of one’s culture, which inevitably forms a lens through which one interprets the world, the authors suggest a greater acceptance of exploring and acknowledging the power of addressing one’s own religious or spiritual makeup. The authors present an agenda for mediation research and practice for the twenty-first century and consider several examples to encourage model development. In particular, the following discussion presents potentially valuable elements for an alternative approach to mediation which incorporates either religion or spirituality.

Author Bio(s)

Debra Jones is an Associate Professor and Youth Development Specialist at Utah State University. She holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University and is currently studying the role of spirituality in youth development. Email: debjones@comcast.net

Alexia Georgakopoulos is an Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution and Communication at Nova Southeastern University’s Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS). She earned a Ph.D. from the Arizona State University. She is a co-facilitator for the Quality Enhancement Plan for institutional effectiveness and program accreditation at SHSS. Email: georgako@nova.edu

Keywords

conflict resolution, mediation process, religion, spirituality

Publication Date

8-2009

DOI

10.46743/1082-7307/2009.1100

Recommended Citation

Jones, Debra and Georgakopoulos, Alexia (2009) "The Promise of Spirituality in Mediation: The Significance of Spiritual-Based and Faith-Based Approaches in Mediation," Peace and Conflict Studies: Vol. 16: No. 1, Article 2.
DOI: 10.46743/1082-7307/2009.1100
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/pcs/vol16/iss1/2