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About ÖBM - Activities, Objectives & Services
von ÖBM
Europe’s largest professional mediators’ association
The Austrian Mediation Federation (Österreichischer Bundesverband für Mediation, ÖBM) was founded in 1995 and is Europe’s largest professional mediators’ association. On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, a gala was held in the ceremonial rooms of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Justice. The Federal Ministry of Constitutional Affairs, Reforms, Deregulation and Justice as well as the Federal Chancellery are key cooperation partners of ÖBM.
Activities throughout Austria
ÖBM is Austria’s only professional mediators’ association operating throughout the country. Its members are mediators working in a wide variety of professions and specialty occupations. ÖBM is made up of 9 regional sections, 6 specialised units and 4 advisory committees, and is managed by the Board, the Federation’s top decision-making body. ÖBM’s main activities are carried out by its team members on a voluntary basis. In an interview with the popular Austrian actor Harald Krassnitzer, which he gave in a TV broadcast on the subject of mediation, he acknowledged the diversity within ÖBM as follows: “Mediation is definitely your common ground.”
International orientation
ÖBM currently has more than 2,300 members* in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Italy and Switzerland. Through separate international sections, ÖBM operates far beyond the boundaries of Austria and is in ongoing dialogue with other mediation associations within the German-speaking world. In the context of the so-called “Vienna Declaration” of 2013, ÖBM initiated Mediation Day, an event celebrated on June 18 each year in numerous European countries.
Objectives
“Resolving conflict through mediation” is the catchphrase ÖBM uses to address the public at large. It supports its members by offering specific measures (e.g. self-promotion tools) that are intended to further improve their position in the market. Over and above this, ÖBM aims at rooting mediation even more strongly in society and at making it an even more vital part in Austria’s conflict culture.
Services provided
Its extensive range of services provided (more than 50 free training courses each year, reasonably priced professional liability insurance including free extended cover, free entry in the Directory of Austrian Mediators, free member area on the ÖBM website, free newsletters, free networking platform for newcomers, free brochures) make ÖBM Austria’s number one contact point for all matters related to mediation.
* last update: December 2017; currently, approx. 2,400 registered mediators are listed at the Federal Ministry of Constitutional Affairs, Reforms, Deregulation and Justic