From April 6 to 14, 2024, mediators from the International Human Rights Center completed an international internship in the United States (New York City and Washington, D.C.). As part of the internship, the mediators paid a business visit to the Conflict Resolution Center on Long Island. This center specializes in community mediation and employs volunteer mediators who provide mediation services free of charge to the public. Applications are processed through a Call Center, followed by a screening session to determine the situation. The center does not handle severe cases of violence or crimes and immediately refers such cases to court. Mediation sessions are conducted either remotely or in the office. Court cases are only assigned to mediators registered with the court. Trainers who teach mediation are certified.
On Long Island, basic mediation training is provided, after which mediators undergo specialization. The center opened in the 1980s and is the first mediation center on Long Island, primarily helping to resolve disputes involving amounts up to $10,000. There is no specific law governing mediation, but there are mediation provisions in general laws. Mediators at the center resolve disputes that arise among community members, within neighborhoods, and between government agencies and individuals with disabilities. The police also refer cases to mediators. For any questions regarding the international internship, you can contact the Center coordinator, Aida Zamanbekova, at +77772157436.