The mediator's approach to children's participation in family mediation: a comparative study in Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine

ENThis study presents the results of research conducted among Lithuanian, Polish, and Ukrainian mediators on the issue of involving children in mediation in matters which concern them in order to hear their voice. The aim of the study was to establish the actual state of art, and therefore the scope, frequency and methods of involving children in mediation, as well as the expectations and preferences of mediators in this regard. The views of mediators regarding their role in mediation involving children were also sought. The results of the study prove that mediators agree on the need to hear a voice of children in family mediation. They also outline the practice of involving children in mediation, which is predominantly based on indirect methods. This study shows the great similarity between the studied groups, their characteristics, their perceptions of mediation and the role of a mediator and their opinions on how to secure the hearing of the child's opinion in mediation. This may prove the universal nature of the subject matter concerning conflict resolution, mediation and the protection of children's rights. Keywords: children's rights, family mediation, social science research.

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