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Volunteer peacemaker |
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| Mr Wee hopes
to see more settlements out of court. |
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Community and social disputes such as those between
neighbours, family members, friends, or landlord
and tenant, can give anyone a splitting headache.
But Mr Wee Pang Kiat, PBM, Master Mediator at the
Community Mediation Centre (Central), tackles such
sore disputes with finesse.
With more than five years’ experience under
his belt, he has developed the key qualities of
a mediator: patience, good listening and communication
skills, ability to empathise yet remain impartial,
and being understanding and tactful.
Having been a grassroots leader for years, he had
occasionally been asked to help settle community
disputes and conflicts. So when he was invited to
be trained as a mediator, he welcomed the change.
Being a mediator has aided Mr Wee’s personal
growth. It has changed his way of thinking and outlook
on life. “Why quibble over things if you can
live with it when life is short?” he quipped.
As a Master Mediator he has to continually upgrade
himself by attending courses, workshops, talks,
as well as reading articles on mediation. He advises
those interested in being a mediator to attend basic
courses to better understand the process of mediation.
“Mediators must have a certain flair for under-standing
and handling different types of people who may be
difficult or otherwise,” he added.
Mr Wee admits to feeling a little pressurised as
a Master Mediator as he has to set a good example
for other mediators and reinforce the appropriate
practices during mediation sessions.
But this Master Mediator is rising up to the challenges.
“My goal is to help the community settle their
conflicts as best as possible without having to
go to court or resort to violence,” he says.
“If I can have more settlements, this would
be an achievement I would be proud of.” |
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