Improve Your Conflict Resolution Skills at a TMI Tournament!

Curious about solving conflicts in a practical and peaceful way? Teen Mediation Tournaments offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to learn various conflict resolution techniques! Gain hands-on understanding of mediation in law and everyday life, while competing with students from across the globe. Plus, you'll have a mediator mentor to guide you every step of the way!

We might not have the answers for every conflict, but we are here to help you discover your “mediator style, confidence and courage”.

• Build Public Speaking Confidence
• Sharpen Critical Thinking and Logic Abilities
• Exposure to Case Analysis
• Courage to Advocate for Injustices
• Strengthen your Interpersonal Skills
• Become A Peacemaker in your Local Community

Participating in these tournaments draws on your emotional intelligence. The experience will connect you with other teen mediators, allowing you to make friends, promote peace, and make a tangible impact on your school and local community. 

Mediation teams consist of 3 students plus an alternate. A minimum of 6 hours of training is needed to prepare for a tournament. Over three rounds, you'll perform the roles of mediator, advocate (lawyer), and client once each. Advocate/client pairs face each other to resolve a conflict with two co-mediators facilitating.

During the tournament, coaches can advise students before a round starts and observe the rounds in order to give feedback. Local mediators mentor teams in conflict resolution techniques to prepare them for competition. TMI supports teachers with a variety of resources including video, books, and virtual live coaching so they can learn conflict resolution for themselves and their students. 

Local lawyers and mediators are recruited to serve as judges for the rounds. They are given a scorecard and asked to evaluate each student on his or her performance in each role. At the end of each competitive round, they provide constructive feedback to participants.

Mediators are evaluated on their ability to... 

• Work together with their co-mediator
• Listen actively
• Help clients see the strengths and weaknesses of their case
• Stay positive and professional
• Help guide the parties to a resolution

Advocate client pairs are evaluated on their ability to...

• Present your case
• Articulate strengths and weaknesses
• Work with mediators towards a solution while meeting your own party’s needs and interests.

In 2024, Teen Mediation International (TMI) was formed to provide conflict resolution training to youth worldwide, offering support for tournament participation and internships. TMI collaborates with schools and local organizations to deliver a range of tournament and training support, including:

• · Written curriculums
• · Training for teacher-coaches and students
• · Social media promotion
• · New case materials
• · Judge recruitment and training
• · Best practices
• · An international tournament held each spring