• Conflict dynamic and conflict management
• Principles of conciliation/mediation
• Soft skills for conciliation/mediation
• Process management skills
• Problem management skills
• People skills
• Communication skills
• Effective skills, tools and strategies for conciliators/mediators
• Role-plays and practical exercises on conciliation/mediation.

The course aims to:

• Reinforce and expand your skills and techniques as a conciliator/mediator thanks to the practical learning methodology and the coaching exercises.
• Have your skills assessed against a matrix of competences guided by experienced tutors.
• Strengthen your understanding and analysis of the role and functions of the conciliator/mediator and of the process of conciliation/mediation.
• Share knowledge and experience with peers and colleagues with different professional backgrounds and coming from all over the world thanks to group exercises and interactive activities.

During the course, you will be able to:

• Put learning into practice thanks to the latest practical and interactive learning methodologies.
• Receive guidance and feedback from experienced tutors, who are internationally recognised conciliators/mediators.
• Join and interact with a diverse network of professionals engaging in issues related to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and conciliation/mediation.
• Be exposed to a mix of training methods: lectures, plenary discussions, good practices, case studies, group work, and individual exercises.

This course is the assessment part of the Online Course on Conciliation / Mediation of Labour Disputes (view 2025 editions of this course) and foresees an overall time involvement of approximately 30 hours. It will take place on a dedicated e-learning platform, the ITCILO e-Campus portal, accessible through a computer or any portable device.

On this e-platform, participants will find all course resources and tools necessary to complete the course activities. The learning will be highly interactive, combining real-time live sessions and interactive exercises with self-study and individual assignments.

The assessment process is composed of three different components.

1. Role plays

Participants will be involved in four role-play exercises, two coached and two assessed, in which they will have the opportunity to play the role of the conciliator/ mediator at all stages of the process.

Each of these sessions will have a total duration of four hours. Participants will be divided into small groups. All participants will need to be present in the sessions for the entire duration of the course activities. To provide participants with further guidance and support, two preparatory sessions will also be delivered.

The sessions will take place according to the following schedule (Time to be confirmed):

• Welcome and Course Introduction | 4 November 2025
• Preparatory Session 1 | 6 November 2025
• Preparatory Session 2 | 11 November 2025
• Preparatory session 3 | 13 November 2025
• Coached Sessions 1 | 18 November 2025
• Coached Sessions 2 | 20 November 2025
• Assessed Sessions 1 | 25 November 2025
• Assessed Sessions 2 | 27 November 2025
• Knowledge-sharing session and Closing Ceremony | 28 November 2025

The exact timing will be confirmed ten days before the beginning of the course.

Attendance at these live sessions is mandatory. To ensure a smooth delivery of the course, changes in the schedule may not be possible.

2. Written Test

This assignment will comprise mostly of multiple-choice questions and short answer questions. The focus of this test will be on the key topics related to conciliation/mediation.

3. Personal Development Plan

Participants will be asked to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses as conciliators/mediators, and to discuss how they plan to use their newly acquired conciliator/mediator skills in the future.

The entire training program will be conducted in English. Therefore, a good command of this language is required.

To attend and complete this Certification course all the following requirements need to be met:

1. Only participants who have successfully completed one edition of the ITCILO Course on Conciliation/Mediation of Labour Disputes can attend this advanced course.
2. Attendance at all live sessions is mandatory, especially in the Coached and Assessed ones as they are part of the Assessment Process. Moreover, active participation (with the camera turned on) in all live sessions is a requirement to complete the course. Therefore, participants are expected to make all necessary arrangements to be able to attend all sessions.
3. Participants are required to have a stable internet connection, a laptop or a computer with working video and audio settings (camera, microphone, and headset), and that the sessions are conducted in a suitable environment, with no interruptions.

It is the responsibility of every single participant to adopt a suitable conduct and abide by the above regulatory framework. The ITCILO cannot be deemed responsible for the unsuccessful completion of the course in case these requirements are not met.

To apply for this course, please click on the "Apply now" button and fill out the online form before the application deadline.

If your application is sponsored by your Institution, you will be required to attach a sponsorship letter, covering the course fees.

Applications will be reviewed through a standardized selection process. Successful candidates will be notified individually.

Payment can be processed by bank transfer or credit card through an electronic payment link. The total price of this training activity must be paid in advance by the participant or his/her sponsoring organization.

If an enrolled participant wishes or must withdraw from a course, they must notify the Centre, in writing, of their decision at least 14 days prior to the start date of the course. Cancellation of participation in regular courses will result in penalties. For more details on this matter, please check our payment and cancellation policy webpage.

You can download and read the recommended publication "Professional conciliation in collective labour disputes: a practical guide"