Conducting additional rounds of private mediation sessions (also referred to as caucuses), unless otherwise agreed by the parties, is intended to further explore the parties’ willingness to make concessions possibly proposed in the previous individual sessions and to generate other alternatives in a safe setting.

The continuation of shuttle diplomacy refers to the series of private meetings that the mediator holds with each party to exchange a series of proposals and concessions between the parties as part of the negotiation process. The mediator’s role in this process is to facilitate constructive dialogue, help generate options and assist parties in finding mutually acceptable solutions.

Preparing the parties for effective engagement in later joint sessions refers to the additional effort effective mediators put into actively engaging with the parties individually to explore any additional interests they may have, their ultimate positions, and any further compromises they may be willing to make in the interest of reaching an agreement. This activity usually takes place at the end of each private session and clarifies how the exchange of settlement proposals would take place.

Relaying negotiation proposals refers to the mediator’s active conveying of different settlement options, acting as a bridge between the parties during the settlement process, by holding additional joint or private sessions to present the proposed settlement in a natural way.

The midway joint meeting refers to the meeting that the parties hold, of their own initiative or at the request of the mediator, before the final joint meeting which usually concludes the session, to clarify some of the proposals made and to work further on terms that may not yet have been agreed upon.

Preparing the parties for the Enable Resolution stage refers to the efforts the mediator makes to create an atmosphere of trust and understanding for the final meeting. It includes clarifying the proposals for negotiation, final arrangements for how these will be presented, and identifying any final concessions the parties may be willing to make. It also includes taking care of any necessary logistics related to the process and final arrangements for the time, place and duration of the final meeting – whether in person or online. If any sensitive topics (i.e., postpone the process, apologies) will be expected in the Enable Resolution stage, this is a good time to be proactive and consult the parties in prepearation for what could become a contentious matter.

Transitioning from the Validate Options to the Enable Resolution stage refers to the mediator’s efforts to discuss with the parties their interests, positions, and possible solutions to a problem or conflict, in order to pave the way for an open discussion on the possible settlement arrangements.