Why is Public Policy Mediation Needed in Today's World? Guest: Susan Podziba

My guest Susan Podziba is a public policy mediator and wrote a book called 'Civic Fusion: Mediating Polarized Public Disputes'. Susan explains what public policy mediation is and why it is needed to reason and resolve very complex and polarized issues. She talks about the differences in attitude towards public policy mediation in Europe compared to the U.S i.e some countries in Northern Europe are conflict adverse and consensual. She talks about how types of negotiation work i.e single text negotiation and gives an example of a fascinating moment when opposing parties built an agreement, and her involvement in a dialogue relating to a fatal shooting at an abortion clinic in Boston. She highlights the confusion people have between what’s true and false, how ‘social media is furthering our dissent into our own bubbles so people look for information that affirms their existing position’ and how providing information that parties can rely on is critical for public policy mediation. She goes on to add that ‘we need to discern what can be done to affect grievances’ and ultimately be more curious about the other instead of demeaning.