Competition Schedule for October 2025
Students participating in the International Mediation Writing Competition 2025 should take note of the following schedule:
- October 1, 2025: Begin self-learning of basic mediation concepts with materials to be published on VietnamADR.com.
- October 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM (Webinar): Question & Answer session on competition rules and guidelines to prepare for the memo.
- October 15, 2025 at 12:00 Noon (Webinar): Training in English on “How to write an effective mediation brief” (joining with students from Singapore and other neighboring countries).
- October 31, 2025: Deadline for submission of the memo via Email.
These milestones are designed as steps in future lawyer training in mediation in Vietnam, helping participants develop practical skills and confidence before submitting their work.
Global Kickoff Highlights
The Weinstein International Foundation officially launched the International Mediation Writing Competition 2025 with a global kickoff webinar on Sep 25th, 2025 that gathered near 300 participants from around the world.
More than a contest, the event highlighted mediation as a cornerstone of future lawyer training in mediation in Vietnam and other countries, equipping students with the tools to go beyond textbooks and traditional litigation practice.
The Role of Mediation in Future Lawyer Training
Judge Danny Weinstein, founder of the foundation and one of the world’s most respected mediators, reflected on the journey of mediation. Fifteen years ago, most lawyers had little idea what a mediation brief was. Today, these briefs are central to teaching young lawyers how to frame disputes constructively, not as battles to win, but as opportunities to build trust and open dialogue.
He called the competition a “mediation miracle,” proof that mediation is no longer on the margins but a core part of global legal practice.
Jay Welsh, former General Counsel of JAMS and Chair of the Competition, explained that the idea started five years ago as a way to promote mediation advocacy. With the ongoing efforts of senior fellows worldwide, it has grown into a global movement that stands as a foundation for future lawyer training in mediation.
Senior Fellows’ Perspectives
Senior fellows emphasized that a mediation brief is much more than a legal document. It is an invitation to dialogue and a tool for building trust with clients, mediators, and even opposing parties.
From Vietnam, where mediation is still developing, Tuan Nguyen, the Vietnamese senior fellow noted that the competition offers a unique chance for Vietnamese students to step beyond theory and into real discussions about dispute resolution. For these participants, the competition represents growth not only as capable lawyers but as communicators and peacemakers.
Global Lessons and Tips from Participants
Students from previous competitions shared how their experiences shaped their outlook and careers, offering practical advice for newcomers:
- Ecuador: Preparation is key, reread facts, enlarge the problem, explore creative options, and step into the role of the client.
- Bulgaria: Success rests on strategy, innovation, empathy, and framing arguments to encourage dialogue.
- China: The challenge provoked critical thinking, required blending legal and business knowledge, and emphasized harmony.
- Egypt: Conflict can be reframed as collaboration; challenges should be embraced passionately; the competition acts as leadership training.
- Mexico: Deep research, thorough reading of case files, and creativity in generating options were vital.
- Mexico: The real reward is knowledge, master the facts and client needs, write with a conciliatory tone, and focus on transformation rather than prizes.
- Moldova: The competition deepened understanding of mediation and opened doors to internships and career opportunities.
- Vietnam: The experience was described as extraordinary, with empathy emphasized as crucial, a warning not to over-focus on legal analysis, and encouragement to innovate creatively.
Together, these voices show that the competition is a global platform for future lawyer training in mediation, where students learn to turn conflict into opportunity and to see themselves as future leaders in dispute resolution.
Why Future Lawyer Training in Mediation in Vietnam Matters
The kickoff closed with reflections on the broader importance of mediation today. In a world transformed by globalization, technology, and artificial intelligence, legal systems are evolving rapidly.
Vietnamese lawyers of tomorrow will need to help clients not only fight legal battles but also preserve relationships and prevent disputes from escalating.
A mediation brief, senior fellows noted, is more than practice, it is an investment. By learning to craft such briefs, students prepare themselves to become better advisors and leaders in the years to come.
As one senior fellow remarked: “If you don’t change, the change will change you.”
Building Tomorrow’s Lawyers
The International Mediation Writing Competition 2025 is not just a contest. It is a global classroom, where students gain hands-on experience, cross-border connections, and the confidence to see conflict in a new light.
By centering on future lawyer training in mediation in Vietnam, the competition is preparing the next generation of lawyers to lead with empathy, strategy, and creativity, shaping not only their careers but also the future of justice itself.
About VEMC, a Mediation Center in Vietnam
Vietnam Effective Commercial Mediation Center (VEMC) is a a Non-Profit Organization that Promote Mediation as Alternative Dispute Resolution in Vietnam, Provide Training and Mediate Disputes. The idea of mediation is to offer a different way of handling disagreements as compared to litigation proceedings. At VEMC, we pride ourselves on having a team of highly qualified and experienced professionals dedicated to the vision and mission of the center. Contact us to exchange ideas for cooperation in dispute resolution, work with us, or request services.
Source: https://vietnamadr.com/future-lawyer-training-in-mediation-in-vietnam/
