The Editor, Sir:

In reading the article regarding'PALS wants mediation on school curricula', dated May 15, we would like to respond to the innovative programmes being conducted by the Hanover Mediation Centre in Lucea.

The Hanover Mediation Centre, an affiliate of the Dispute Resolution Foundation of Jamaica, and with the help of JSIF and EFJ, has been teaching mediation of skills in the high schools of Hanover for five years.

Initially, the Hanover Media-tion Centre trained youth to be peer mediators at four high schools: Rusea's High School, Merlene Ottey High School, Knockalva Technical High School and Green Island High School. Students were trained in a 40-hour workshop and learned the technicalities and the social skills to conduct mediations for their fellow students.

Financial constraints curtailed the mediation training for youth for the last two years. Despite the lack of funding, the Hanover Mediation Centre has not stopped in its goal to reach out to the youth and the schools of Hanover, which now include two more high schools, viz, Hopewell High and Rhodes Hall High schools, were opened in 2006. Riversdale All-Age as well as Bethel Primary and Junior High schools also received the benefits of the programme.

Two prospectives

The Hanover Mediation Centre believes that the key to reducing violence in schools is to approach the problem from two prospectives. First, we train youths to mediate conflicts and counsel their peers who are having problems.

Second, the Hanover Media-tion Centre reaches out to youth referred by guidance counsellors who are having problems with anger and self-esteem.

These students are given practical information and focused attention in small groups to increase their ability to understand and manage their feelings and resolve conflict peacefully.

We are, etc.,

HANOVER MEDIATION

YOUTH PROGRAMME

hanovermediation@cwjamaica.com