Our Beginnings
The founder of International Mediation Training Associates Ltd. (IMTA) and Mediation Africa, Regina Thompson, realized very early on in her career that even within the context of official multiculturalism in Canada, normative mediation approaches were based singularly on Western European ways of being. She set out to make a difference by designing processes that take into consideration, perspectives that fit the understandings of disputants based on meaning-making regimens derived from culture.
Our Mission
IMTA and its Mediation Africa subsidiary exists to pursue, promote and popularize inclusive, culturally diverse mediation practices. We appreciate different cultural and meaning-making perspectives and offer unique service approaches that promote enduring settlements. rived from culture.
Our Vision
That IMTA and its subsidiary, Mediation Africa, will become recognized internationally, as champions and leading advocates, trainers and practitioners of inclusive, culturally-sensitive conflict resolution methods, processes and systems.
Our Faculty and Presenters
The Professionals at Mediation Africa have years of training and decades of experience as skilled Mediators, Trainers, Facilitators, Presenters and Capacity Builders. Our uniquely inclusive best practice approach to Conflict Prevention, Peace Maintenance and Peace Management is the hallmark of our service.
We are leaders in mainstreaming cultural competency into normative Alternative Dispute Resolution practice. We understand the importance of culture to meaning-making – a key requirement in dialogue for peaceful resolution within pluralistic societies and in multinational/multi-ethnic environments.
Regina Thompson
LLM. ADR
Chartered Mediator
Accredited Family Mediator
Certified Adjudicator
With over 22 years of experience as a mediator and conflict resolution professional, Regina has expertise in mainstreaming culture and human rights perspectives into ADR service provision, using multiple lens approaches. She uses her unique skills to improve and enhance relationships in communities, workplaces, families, service and other organizations.
Cheryl Gaster
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LL.B., C.Med.
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Associate
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Canada
Cheryl is a Human rights mediator, settlement counsel, and trainer/facilitator who specializes in the areas of Human Rights, Employment, Personal Harassment and Training. Accredited as a Chartered Mediator in 2001, Cheryl has been the mediator in over two-thousand mediations. Visit www.cherylgaster.ca to view Cheryl’s résumé and for further details about her experience.
Cindy Dymond
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LL.B.
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Chartered Mediator
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Associate
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Canada
Cindy is a Lawyer, Arbitrator and Chartered Mediator. She has been working in conflict resolution for over 25 years. She currently works exclusively in private mediation practice, with an emphasis on legal disputes, interpersonal relations, conflict management and peace-building, working with clients of all ages and backgrounds, both locally and internationally.
Robyn Hurley
B.A, LL.B.
Accredited Family Mediator (OAFM)
Associate
Canada
Robyn offers mediation services in Toronto in all aspects of family law, and mediates with a superior court-connected mediation roster, mediate393. She also provides mediation in London, Ontario, as an associate mediator with Bluewater Mediation. Robyn employs an interest-based, family-focused, and collaborative approach to cases, which reduces conflict and helps families move forward. She has the unique experience of having acted for parents, children, and Children’s Aid Societies in child protection matters.
Sybil Sakle Thompson
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LL.B., LL.M.
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M.Sc., B.A. (HONS)
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Associate
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Canada
Sybil is a graduate of the Faculty of Law at McGill University, Oxford University, and the University of Toronto, with experience working as a legal advisor and consultant with private and public-sector organizations, both within Canada and abroad. Her litigation experience is documented in over 50 publicly reported decisions, and in a significant number of cases successfully resolved for her clients through settlement. Sybil is fully bilingual in English and French.
Charlotte Akuoko-Barfi
BA, MSW
Associate
Canada