Mediation offers an informal alternative for resolving conflict. Yet governmental entities do not frequently use mediation to settle public policy disputes. This report addresses the concerns of when and whether mediation is appropriate for public policy disputes, what to do about the apparent conflict between the confidentiality provisions of mediation and the need for open government, and finally, whether stricter regulation in the form of formal credentials and ethical rules are needed for mediators and the practice of mediation. The author's findings in this report support further use of mediation for public policy disputes.
-- Author's foreword.
