MEDIATORS Romeo Vicente “Buboy” Sta. Ana and Jose “Joey” Solinap of the Philippine Mediation Center (PMC)–HOJ, Bacolod were the only two Supreme Court (SC)-accredited Filipino mediators who made it mostly through their personal contacts, efforts and resourcefulness to the 1st Asian Mediation Association (AMA) Conference “Mediation Diversity – Asia & Beyond” last June 4-5, 2009 at the Marina Mandarin Hotel Singapore hosted by the Singapore Mediation Centre.

The conference provided a fruitful forum for the exchange of the latest ideas and developments in mediation in different jurisdictions. Speakers from inter alia, India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, US and UK gathered to share their experiences and expertise in dispute resolution.

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Approximately 300 international participants graced the conference, along with keynote speaker, President Martti Ahtisaari, the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize winner and also the former President of Finland. He has played a leading role in brokering peace deals around the world. From facilitating the peace process between the government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement to his recent role as UN Special Envoy for the Kosovo Status Process, Ahtisaari has successfully brought together conflicting parties, facilitating dialogue and setting the scene for agreement to emerge.

Solinap and Sta. Ana, meanwhile, thanked the supporters “of our quest to be represented in this most significant event”: Ramon & Gina Jocson of IBM Singapore; Fidel Fuentes & the BOD of Pagcor and Grace Golez of Negros Navigation.