Arbitration & Mediation

Animated short celebrates 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

By Diane Levin

We dispute resolution professionals sometimes characterize the difference between mediation and litigation as one of focus: mediation is interest-based, focusing on the underlying needs and aspirations of the individuals involved in the dispute, while litigation is rights-based, concerning itself with the entitlements, claims, and remedies created by and available at law. But the problem is that this distinction does not adequately acknowledge the sometimes blurry line between rights and interests, or fully capture the spirit of either law or mediation.  Principles like fair play, justice, procedural integrity, equality, human dignity, and peace are in fact alive in both.

Reflecting on rights and interests, I note that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  In celebration of a document that recognizes and honors the basic dignity and worth of human beings everywhere, filmmaker Seth Pau has created an animated short. With a haunting soundtrack and stark graphics, Pau’s moving interpretation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights invites new and deeper reflection on a 60-year-old text.  Watch it here:

Via Boing Boing.

Full post as published by Online Guide to Mediation on October 15, 2008 (boomark / email).