Episode 48: For the Love of ADR- Mass Awareness Advocacy in ADR via Podcast for Schools | #adr /MDC Centers | Dr Chinwe Egbunike-Umegbolu

Expert Views On ADR (EVA) Vid /Podcast Show

The Birth of Alternative or Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) was borne out of delay, frustration and exorbitant cost associated with the adversarial system of settling disputes. The above statement encompasses both developed and developing nations, signifying that Litigation is not the only option; other #appropriate / #alternative methods are available for the masses/citizenry to opt from. #adr has helped the justice system in different jurisdictions -in developed economies, particularly America, the UK and developing economies like Nigeria, to dispense justice swiftly. Thus, it has restored the judicial system's trust, hope, belief, and confidence of the litigants/ disputants. However, recent research conducted by the writer points towards the urgent need for mass awareness advocacy via podcasting in society regarding the use/benefits associated with ADR / Multi-Door Courthouse (MDC). The podcaster recommends #education -mass advocacy on ADR, particularly making ADR #compulsory in schools. This can be disseminated via podcast channels (using Expert Views on ADR (EVA) as a Case study) because the world is fast becoming a global village. Anyone can now access the Internet and listen to experts/advocates discussing ADR and court-connected ADR. Research conducted by the writer in Lagos, Enugu state and recently on the streets of Washington DC, #usa indicates that most people are not aware of what ADR / MDC is. Thus, it is imperative that potential users need to be educated through awareness campaigns in conferences, radio jingles, and podcasts on the ADR processes, advantages, and benefits. This is important because the user’s psyche is still Litigation orientated; thus, the need for continuous mass awareness through technology simplifying ADR is needed- Some of these benefits include Party Autonomy, the flexibility of the process saves time, and it is cost-effective; the need to go back to the grassroots, like primary schools, secondary schools, trade unions and universities, is essential to reorient or reposition people’s mindsets or psyche at early stages is crucial.

ADR should be a part of the school curriculum not as an elective but as a compulsory course because it is also available in litigation. What this does is that it creates a balanced story rather than a one-sided story, as is the case in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. In the university system or educational system, ninety-three (93%) of education is focused on litigation in the university and law schools in Nigeria & most jurisdictions, which means that only Seven (7%) of the teaching is ADR. This is largely because ADR is not a compulsory course but an elective. That means if students graduate eventually, their first port of call is Litigation.

Generally, there is bias everywhere, especially where someone is not yet familiar with the subject matter – humans tend to either criticise or ignore what they are not familiar with. The human mind is such that it takes something that it does not know and shoves it into one category in its mind, and sometimes, this knowledge is inaccurate. The one thing that takes away bias beyond every other thing is personal experience via awareness. if more lawyers train to become mediators, they will create more opportunities to let their expertise be known. More so, awareness campaigns-opportunities whereby traditional leaders, and religious leaders, who have a substantial influence in society, lend words of credence &endorse the use of the ADR; MDC platforms would be a significant step in the right direction. It will go a long way to sensitise the subject matter. The podcaster recommends that MDC in Nigeria/ADR Centers create a podcast channel to disseminate the use of ADR; the wordings used will be simple words so-non-specialist can easily understand, and this will be distributed on other social media platforms. However, informal training from home should come; first, parents should teach their children about ADR. #adr