International Accreditation Programme

Advanced training for experienced mediators handling complex, cross-border disputes. Transform your international mediation practice with CEDR's prestigious accreditation. Join a global network of elite mediators and master the advanced skills needed for high-stakes, multi-party conflicts.

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Why Choose CEDR's International Accreditation Programme?

Experienced mediators choose CEDR accreditation to differentiate themselves in competitive international markets. With over 35 years establishing global standards in conflict resolution, CEDR's qualification signals to clients that you possess verified expertise in complex, high-value dispute resolution.

  • Elite Practitioner Network
    Join CEDR's curated global mediator panel, gaining access to international case opportunities and ongoing professional development through MyCEDR.
  • World-Class Faculty
    Learn from specialists across hostage negotiation, peacemaking, business human rights, and multi-stakeholder conflicts. Our trainers don't just teach mediation—they actively resolve some of the world's most challenging disputes.
  • IMI Certification Pathway
    This programme fulfills International Mediation Institute requirements, positioning you for global recognition beyond CEDR accreditation.
  • Real-World Application
    Four days of intensive coaching, live simulations, and case studies from South African class actions, DRC peacemaking efforts, and international hostage situations.

What advanced skills will I master?

How to Break Deadlock in Complex International Negotiations

When standard techniques fail in high-stakes disputes, you'll learn proven approaches from practitioners who've resolved:

  • South Africa's largest class-action disputes
  • Multi-national business human rights conflicts
  • Political and community peacemaking processes
  • Crisis and hostage negotiations

What core competencies will I develop?

Advanced Bargaining Techniques – Move beyond positional negotiation to facilitate value creation in seemingly intractable conflicts.

  • Robust Party Challenging – Develop the confidence to constructively challenge parties when settlements stall, without damaging rapport or trust.
  • Cultural Intelligence – Navigate diverse cultural expectations, communication styles, and conflict norms in international contexts.
  • Process Design – Architect effective engagement strategies for multi-party, multi-issue, multi-stakeholder negotiations.
  • Effective Information Exchange – Master techniques to uncover hidden interests and facilitate productive dialogue across language and cultural barriers.
  • CEDR's Flexible Framework – Apply CEDR's proven methodology while adapting to unique complexities of international disputes.

What does the programme include?

This includes:

  • 4.5 days advanced training (29 hours live instruction)
  • Pre-course curriculum and resources
  • All coaching and simulation sessions
  • CEDR accreditation assessment
  • Ongoing professional development access
  • Course materials and recordings

Eligibility Requirements:

To ensure cohort quality and maximize learning value, participants must demonstrate:
  • Active mediation and/or arbitration experience
  • Previous international arbitration or negotiation involvement
    Completion of mediation skills training
  • For IMI Certification: 20+ mediations or approximately 200 hours mediation work

Limited places ensure personalised attention - participation is subject to application approval.

How do I apply?

Submit Your Application

Complete the eligibility form detailing your mediation experience, international work, and training background. Applications are reviewed to ensure cohort experience levels match programme demands.

Application Review

Our training team assesses your suitability based on eligibility criteria. We'll contact you within 5 working days with next steps.

Course Programme

Before day one, you'll complete curated reading and audiovisual modules through CEDR's Virtual Campus, ensuring participants arrive with shared foundational knowledge.
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Day 1: Introduction & Advanced Skills Refresher (12:00-20:00 GMT)

Intensive practical sessions combining teaching and coaching on:

  • Positions vs. interests in international contexts
  • Negotiation style adaptation across cultures
  • Active listening beyond language barriers
  • Advanced bargaining for complex disputes
  • Challenging parties effectively
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Day 2: Teaching & Practice - Breaking Deadlock, Spotlight Sessions from Conflict Experts (12:00-20:00 GMT):

  • Hostage & Crisis Negotiation
    Experience 90 minutes in the 'hot seat' navigating the tension and decision-making pressure professional negotiators face with terrorists. Learn crisis communication principles applicable to commercial deadlock.
  • Multi-Party Dispute Resolution
    Discover lessons from internationally renowned practitioners who mediated South Africa's largest class-action case. Understand how to facilitate relationship building and transformation across numerous stakeholders.
  • Peacemaking & Business Human Rights
    Hear from specialists who've authored eight books on international violent conflict negotiation, currently working on projects in Southern Africa and supporting DRC peacemaking efforts. Apply these insights to business human rights mediation.
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Day 3: Expert Speaker Sessions (12:00-16:00 GMT)

Learn from recognised practitioners Felicity Steadman, John Brand, Sheila Bates, Tania Songini, and Nita Yawanarajah. Each brings decades of international mediation experience across commercial, political, and community conflicts.

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Day 4: Live Coaching & Simulation (12:00-20:00 GMT)

Full-day immersive coaching experience featuring live mediation simulations with real-time feedback from master mediators. Receive extensive personalized guidance on your technique, style, and areas for development.

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Post-Course Assessment

Complete your accreditation through assessment and personal reflection via CEDR's Virtual Campus. Upon successful completion, you'll receive CEDR-Accreditation.

Why CEDR?

For over 35 years, CEDR has set the standard for mediation excellence in the UK and internationally. When you choose CEDR accreditation, you join a legacy of excellence and a global community committed to resolving conflicts effectively and ethically.

  • Trained over 8,000 mediators worldwide
  • Resolved over 100,000 disputes across commercial, community, and consumer sectors
  • Established partnerships with governments, courts, and organisations globally
  • Maintained panels of specialist mediators across multiple countries
  • Pioneered innovative approaches to complex conflict resolution
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Trusted by individuals and global brands

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The IAP course was truly transformative. I've already seen a positive impact in both my personal and professional life since completing it. The skills I gained have been invaluable for resolving conflicts peacefully and building better relationships. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to enhance their conflict resolution abilities - it exceeded all my expectations!

Adeyemi Agbelusi, Partner, Berean Associated

"A very well organized and valuable course taught by faculty members who gave 110% in every aspect of it. It really encouraged you as a participant to give your all. I am already recommending it to people."

Mark Yeadon

"The course is well structured and optimised for its purpose. The virtual study area technologically is advanced, rich in content and friendly to use."

Rosemary Perma, ADR Intesa

"The facilitators are very knowledgeable and excellent hosts of the IAP. A thoroughly rewarding experience. The course provided methods, skills and insights that will be used and form part of my meditors skill set."

Suzanne Walsh, Barrister

Everything You Need to Know Before You Book

How do I apply?

When a course has been scheduled, an 'Apply now' button will be visible on this page. If this is not seen - the course date has not been released yet. You can register your interest in the International Accreditation Programme to be kept up to date with the course, and you will receive email communication from CEDR when the course is available to book.

Submit Your Application

When the course is available to book, complete the eligibility form detailing your mediation experience, international work, and training background. Applications are reviewed to ensure cohort experience levels match programme demands.

Application Review

Our training team assesses your suitability based on eligibility criteria. We'll contact you within 5 working days with next steps.

Do I need to be CEDR-Accredited already?

No. The International Accreditation Programme includes assessment for CEDR accreditation for non-accredited participants. If you're already CEDR-accredited, you'll still gain significant value from the advanced skills training and international network expansion.

Can I attend if I am outside the UK?

Absolutely. The programme is delivered online with timing (12:00-20:00 GMT) designed to accommodate participants across European, African, and Middle Eastern time zones. Our mediator panel spans multiple countries, and international perspective is essential to the learning experience.

What if I can't attend all sessions?

Full attendance is required for accreditation. The programme is intensive and each day builds on previous learning. If you have scheduling conflicts, consider applying for a future cohort.

How does this differ from your Mediator Skills Training?

Our Mediator Skills Training is for those new to mediation or seeking CEDR accreditation. The International Accreditation Programme is advanced training for experienced mediators specifically focused on complex, international, high-stakes disputes. It assumes you already possess core mediation competencies.

Does this programme fulfill IMI requirements?

Yes, for experienced mediators who have completed 20+ mediations or approximately 200 hours mediation work. CEDR is recognized by the International Mediation Institute, and this programme satisfies IMI's advanced training requirements.

Do I pay VAT if I'm an international participant?

Do I need to pay VAT on my course booking?

This depends on where you are based. UK participants are charged VAT at the standard rate of 20% on all course fees.

If you are based outside the UK, different rules apply depending on your location.

I'm based in the EU - do I pay UK VAT?

If you are an EU-based business or person purchasing a course in a professional capacity (e.g to use the skills within your role or for future employment), UK VAT is not charged. Instead, you will be responsible for accounting for VAT in your own country under the reverse charge mechanism. This means you self-report the VAT liability to your local tax authority rather than paying it to us. You should confirm your obligations with your local tax adviser or finance team before booking.

If you are an EU-based individual (i.e. not purchasing on behalf of a VAT-registered business, or for you to use in a professional capacity for your role or future employment), different rules may apply and we recommend checking with your local tax authority.

I'm based outside the UK and EU - do I pay VAT?

Participants based outside the UK and EU are generally not subject to UK VAT on course fees. However, you may have obligations under your own country's tax rules for imported services. We recommend checking with a local tax adviser to understand any reporting requirements that may apply to you.

How do I ensure my booking reflects the correct VAT treatment?

When booking, please ensure you provide your country of residence or your business's country of registration. EU business customers should also provide their valid VAT registration number or Tax Certificate so we can apply the reverse charge correctly. If you are unsure how to proceed, please contact us at training@cedr.com before completing your booking.

Will I receive a VAT invoice?

Yes. All participants receive an invoice upon booking. For UK participants this will include VAT at 20%. For international participants, the invoice will reflect the applicable treatment for your location.