Mediation Week

Since 2016, Mediation Week has been a key event within the mediation sector. Each year, it brings together hundreds of mediators, professionals and partners from a wide range of fields. Collaboration plays a central role, with strong involvement from referral partners, sector organisations and the academic community. Across Belgium, a substantial number of activities are organised annually, ranging from workshops and lectures to targeted networking moments with sectors such as construction and the judiciary. Mediation Week therefore offers a unique platform for knowledge sharing, partnership building and increasing awareness of the value of mediation.

Mediation Month 2025: Anniversary edition:

In 2025, we celebrated a special edition of Mediation Week, as the Federal Mediation Commission (FBC) celebrated its 20th anniversary! In honour of this anniversary, we expanded the event into a Mediation Month, with activities spread between 15 September and 10 October 2025. As it does each year, this year saw Mediation Week bring professionals and citizens together around the power of mediation, but this time with even more workshops, lectures and networking opportunities.

Review of previous editions

The Mediation Week has become a fixture in the mediation sector in recent years. Each year, hundreds of participants take part in inspiring sessions on the impact and effectiveness of mediation. Over the years, we have witnessed:

A growing number of participants from various sectors
Greater collaboration with legal professionals and industry organisations
Innovative sessions on mediation techniques and practical experiences

In this anniversary edition, we took a look back at the highlights and build on the future of mediation.

Click on the years below for more information and photos from previous editions.

Mediation Month
In 2025, the FMC unveiled a new front-facing identity, and such a milestone calls for a celebration. Every year, mediation is highlighted for an entire week, but to mark this anniversary, mediation was given centre stage for a whole month. For four weeks, mediators and other professionals could take part in training courses, awareness-raising sessions and workshops on ADR.
‘A major step forward for mediation? Perspectives from academia and practice’
The year 2022 stood in the sign of scientific research on mediation. During the central day, researchers from the University of Antwerp and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel presented the results of a large-scale survey among the Belgian population, as well as a study on the impact of the Waterzooi Act (2018) on mediation practice.
‘Innovation’
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everyday life worldwide. As a result, Mediation Week was forced to move entirely online. The virtual central day attracted around 500 participants, with Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne also making a brief on-screen appearance. In this digital context, it was particularly fitting that ‘innovation’ served as the common thread throughout the entire Mediation Week.
The initiative took on an international dimension. During the central day, French mediators Jacques Salzer and Jocelyn Hervé shared their insights into mediation practices within the French and Belgian business communities. In addition to a broad range of activities organised by local partners, participants at the central day could choose from 12 different workshops.