In the inaugural installment of the Bulletin’s new series of interviews and profiles celebrating the critical work of Australian ADR Award recipients, this week ADC spoke with Ippei Okazaki who was recently honoured as 2024’s Community Mediator of the Year to discuss the multi-award-winning community mediation projects he has facilitated in remote First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. As one of Australia’s foremost thought leaders in mediation training and practice, Mr Okazaki’s work has revealed the critical role of multi-disciplinary knowledge in ADR, particularly through his innovative approach to integrating restorative justice principles and trauma-informed techniques into the mediation process.
Beyond his influential work as a mediation coach, trainer and consultant, Mr Okazaki has a background in the law and serves as a member of many prestigious panels of mediators and facilitators, including those of the Native Title Tribunal and Adelaide Magistrates Court.
Video Clip: Ippei Okazaki’s Impact in Action
Ippei Okazaki and David Ferraro from the Uniting Communities Law Centre share insights from their recent trip to the Amata Community in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands of remote north-west South Australia, emphasising the value of community mediation outreach work and reflecting on their experiences.
Our Q&A with Ippei Okazaki
Australian Disputes Centre: What impact have the ADR Awards had on your work and the overall community mediation landscape in Australia?
Ippei Okazaki: “Receiving the Community Mediator of the Year award for 2024 from the Australian Disputes Centre highlights the importance of the work I do in fostering peacemaking in our communities. This recognition underscores collective efforts in supporting sensitive community recovery efforts and negotiations following traumatic major natural disasters, as well as offering innovative community designed peacemaking workshops in the APY lands of very remote South Australia.
The impact of these community mediation projects has been significant, providing essential spaces for dialogue and problem-solving. It is a privilege to contribute to the healing and rebuilding processes. Winning the ADR Award has promoted and cast a spotlight on the crucial need for on-site, face-to-face mediation projects, garnering support not only from local communities but also from interstate mediation services and community and legal aid services as an effective approach.”
ADC: How do you approach integrating and creating space for traditional language in your mediation workshops for First Nations communities?
IO: “Allocation of time and workshopping language is critical, as languages and pedagogy evolve and new issues that accelerate conflict, such as social media, emerge. Getting consensus on the right translated words in training equates to true ownership credibility of the process. Much of the material used during the training was originally developed with the participants, elders and community linguists in 2016 during my first visit. Being a multilingual mediator, I am attuned to the nuances and stories behind sometimes the double meaning of the words.”
ADC: What is unique about the role of mediation skills in First Nations communities?
IO: “As with any mediation, it is crucial to create a physically, emotionally, and culturally safe environment unique to the context, while also recognising the legal limits of what mediation can offer. Just as a city-based mediator handling a complex court matter would be expected to use their skills and nuanced knowledge to create a watertight agreement, it would be unwise to expect someone without local First Nations knowledge to mediate in a remote community without understanding the lore and customs that are integral to maintaining community cohesion. First Nations mediators not only prevent community dysfunctionality and both lateral and actual violence but also incorporate restorative practices, including important language and ceremonies incorporated as part of their local process.”
ADC: What role do community leaders and elders play in the success of your training programs?
IO: “Community leaders and elders play a crucial role in the success of our training programs. They not only share their wisdom and practical experience but also provide invaluable personal insights, especially as they navigate and manage extended family conflicts. Their involvement helps design mediation approaches that balance diverse perspectives and ensure that practices are both culturally appropriate and effective. Their guidance helps bridge traditional knowledge with contemporary mediation practices, enhancing the overall impact of the training programs.”
ADC: What future directions or innovations in mediation training or practice could further benefit First Nations communities?
IO: “I would like to see more opportunities for First Nations people to come together, share their stories, and learn from each other. Often, these individuals work in complete isolation and are eager to connect, learn, and sometimes need respite from being 24/7 mediators. While the practice of mediation may vary slightly due to language, local interpretation, and symbolism, the underlying sources of conflict often share commonalities related to historic circumstances and disadvantage. Embracing this diversity of practice could greatly benefit First Nations communities.”
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Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which Australian Disputes Centre is located, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and we pay our respect to the knowledge embedded forever within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea, culture and community, and pay respect to Elders past and present.