Elder Mediation Symposium

Statesmen take stock of EA integration

Apparently they had bitter memories of the EAC that collapsed some 16 years before and did not want to entertain anything that would replicate the situation.The timing of their meeting had some significance, too. There was some stability in the region save for the strife in northern Uganda and other border areas.

The economies were being liberalised following a raft of reforms, which also saw re-introduction of multiparty politics in Tanzania and Kenya. The three leaders went straight into business. They signed an agreement to form the Permanent Tripartite Commission that was to lay basis for EAC revival a few years to come.

Last week, the three elder statesmen, some having retired from active politics, met again at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) to take stock of what they initiated.

Soft spoken Mzee Mwinyi set the ball rolling during a symposium organised as part of the 10th anniversary of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala). “EAC was not born as yet. What was in place then was the Permanent Tripartite Commission Agreement which I was involved in its signing alongside with Presidents Moi and Museveni”, he said.

The leaders’ action was partly informed by the Framework of the Mediation Agreement on Division of Assets and Liabilities of the demised EAC, which was signed in 1984. But the former President Mwinyi, or Mzee Ruksa as fondly called by many Tanzanians, sums it up; “I am proud to be associated with that process”.

He went on; “I am proud particularly because that vision of yesterday resulted in the development of a vision for today and tomorrow.”However, the elder statesman had a word for the regional leaders currently overseeing the EAC integration process. “Sometimes we find ourselves dragging our feet on issues like a common market or Customs Union, because we are scared by the change”, he said.

He argued that the EA governments and their leaders should hasten the move towards greater integration “because we have reached a point of no return”.He added; “Integration is something that is natural to all our people because we have a common experience, common culture and share common aspirations”.

Ethical Standards for Elder Mediation Symposium Registration Now Open

This exciting 2-day event will feature Harry “Rick” Moody , Nancy Neveloff Dubler , Robert Baruch Bush and distinguished panelists from the fields of mediation, elder law, bioethics, geriatric ethics, geriatric medicine and social work. The Symposium will tackle critical issues such as the impact of societal aging biases on the mediation process, capacity issues, and a mediator’s responsibility when the outcome of a mediation violates ethical and/or legal norms. "A welcome addition to the conflict resolution conversation is the wise voice of Gini Nelson. She publishes the blog "Engaging Conflicts", which engages minds to meet at the crossroads of "science, ethics, and spirit in a high conflict practice." Gini's blog is a resource for ideas that inspire and challenge mediators to consider fresh possibilities within their practice and to bring artistry and reflection to their work." - Diane J. Levin, publisher of the award-winning blog, Online Guide to Mediation .

Care services for later life, transformations and critiques

Representing the elderly client, law and practice

Elder abuse and mediation, exploratory studies in America, Britain and Europe

Care managers, working with the aging family

2007 symposium issue, alternative dispute resolution strategies in end-of-life decisions