THE TRAINING OF THE MEDIATORS IN CITIZEN DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTERS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE PROGRAM. THERE ARE CERTAIN TECHNIQUES WHICH SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO MEDIATORS. MEDIATION CAN BE DESCRIBED AS AN ART, NOT A SCIENCE, SINCE THERE ARE NO SET PLANS OR STANDARDS TO FOLLOW. THE MOST COMMON ERROR IS THAT OF MAKING VALUE JUDGMENTS. THE BEST PROCEDURES FOR TEACHING MEDIATION ARE ROLE-PLAYING AND SIMULATION. THE TRAINEES ARE SHOWN VIDEO TAPES OF MEDIATORS ACTING IN CASES WHICH THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD BEFORE. FIRST, THE MEDIATORS INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO THE DISPUTANTS AND EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF THE MEDIATOR. THEN THEY FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HELP TO FORMULATE AN AGREEMENT. THE MEDIATORS GO OVER THE VIDEO TAPE WITH THE TRAINEES, EXPLAINING THE REASONS FOR EACH OF THEIR ACTIONS. THE TRAINEES ARE URGED TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN STYLE. THEN THE GROUP TRIES TO MEDIATE SOME CONFLICTS. THEY ARE GIVEN A CONSTANT FLOW OF CRITICISM AND REINFORCEMENT FOR THEIR TECHNIQUES. THE AUTHOR STRESSES THAT EVEN TRAINEES WITH DEGREES IN SOCIAL WORK CANNOT SIMPLY GO IN AND MEDIATE A DISPUTE RIGHT AWAY. THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS MUST FIRST BE STUDIED TO SEE HOW WELL THEY HANDLE THEMSELVES. THE TRAINING PROCESS SORTS OUT THOSE WHO CAN SUCCESSFULLY DEAL WITH PEOPLE FROM THOSE WHO CANNOT. THE SELECTION OF MEDIATORS SHOULD ACTUALLY BE DONE BY THE MEDIATOR HIMSELF. USUALLY, EACH INDIVIDUAL CAN DECIDE FOR HIMSELF IF HE IS CAPABLE OF MEDIATING REAL DISPUTES. TRAINEES MUST BE TOLD TRUTHFULLY ABOUT THE JOB THEY WILL BE TAKING. THE GROUP SELECTED SHOULD INCLUDE PERSONS AT ALL EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND AGE LEVELS. IF THE GROUP OF MEDIATORS IS SELECTED PROPERLY, THERE SHOULD BE NO DROPOUTS.