Programs and Events

High-level American Mediators Discuss Labor Dispute Mechanisms in Botswana

The Director and Deputy Director of Field Operations of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) participated in a U.S. Speaker program in Botswana from September 18-22, 2004, on labor mediation and conciliation. During the visit, they met with trade union leaders, Department of Labor officials, think-tank representatives, business leaders, judges from the Industrial Court and the media. They also gave a public lecture on "The Limits of Labor Negotiation" at the University of Botswana

The program gave the community of those in Botswana who deal with labor issues the chance to compare, reflect and take stock of their institutions that are responsible for mediation. The lecture at the university gave faculty and students a sense of the importance of mediation and also gave them a chance to focus on how crucial the development of these skills are in an ever-globalizing world. The talk provoked many thoughtful questions and a lively discus