A high level of preparation and impressive negotiation skills characterised the first edition of the TAI International Mediation Tournament 2026, an international mediation competition bringing together students from different countries.
Lyubka Vasileva-Karapanova participated in the competition as an assessor in the preliminary rounds and quarter-finals.
The participants worked on a complex sports-related case and had to navigate time constraints, an online format and a dynamic negotiation environment.
Particularly impressive were the teams’ level of preparation, their ability to apply mediation principles in practice, and their skills in active listening, communication management and interest-based negotiation.
The competition provided participants with an opportunity to develop practical conflict resolution skills in an international setting and to exchange experiences with peers and professionals from different jurisdictions.
An important part of the tournament was the detailed feedback provided by the assessors after each round. Participants had the opportunity to discuss their performance, receive practical guidance and identify areas for improvement, enabling them to refine their approach and build on their skills throughout the competition.
Initiatives of this kind play an important role in the development of the next generation of mediators and dispute resolution professionals and contribute to building an international professional community based on the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
