RURAL ENVIRONMENT. EDUCATION. PERSONALITY. Vol.12. ISSN 2661-5207 Jelgava, 10-11 May 2019 146 DOI: 10.22616/REEP.2019.018 Importance of Dialogue Nature in the Mediator’s Competence Viktorija Portere 1 Mg. jur.; Baiba Briede 2 Dr. paed. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Engineering, Institute of Education and Home Economics, Latvia viktorija.portere@gmail.com 1 , baiba.briede@llu.lv 2 Abstract: Dialogue skills open opportunities to communicate with people purposefully and help to set out information clearly and completely. Dialogue is the main means for successful communication with clients and it helps to maintain the process of mutual relations. The study relates to descriptions of dialogue and dialogical relations in the works of Eastern and Western scientists from the 19th to the 21st century. The aim of the study is to outline the nature of dialogue and to substantiate and explain its functions, components and barriers essential in a mediation process. The main method of the study was the theoretical analysis of dialogue dealing with its importance in education and democracy, and the nature, components, functions and barriers. Dialogue functions, components and barriers are three groups of factors every person has to consider in the process of mediation. A mediator’s task is to explain clients the essence and impact of each factor in the conflict solving process. Therefore, learning to be in dialogical relations should be organised before starting the actual dialogue with other person to solve the conflict. Keywords: dialogue, dialogue barriers, dialogue components, dialogue functions, mediator. Introduction Dialogue arose from the Greek word dialogos and its two parts logos and dia mean through the words pointing to the process when speaking in deep is important to find out new dimensions of understandings and meanings of views and relations. Dialogue as one of the most humanistic means of making relations more positive has justified itself through centuries and nowadays it is a basis in the mediation process as well. Dialogue is one of the features of the mediator’s competence and improvement of dialogical skills is a part of the mediator’s further education. As dialogical skills and conclusions on them have been developing through centuries it is possible to find diverse conclusions and explanations in many philosophical, pedagogical, communication, sociological, psychological, biological, philological, art and other scientific works. The vastness and deepness of the dialogue is described by D. Yankelovich (1999) raising a thesis that there is something magic in it transforming a conflict into co-operation. He recognizes that because of this magic capability the dialogue is unique and other ways of communication cannot implement this positive action, and it is a means of resolving disagreements, sharing information as well as improving a personality and worldview. As dialogical capabilities are so great it is necessary to revise and reassess their opportunities in relation to concrete professional actions and in this concrete case in the context of the mediator’s responsibilities. The study is focused on the dialogue components considering the mediator’s work peculiarities with a client. According to Mediation Law Article No.1 of Latvia Republic (Mediation Law, 2014) mediation is a voluntary co-operation process during which the both sides try to get to mutually acceptable agreement for solving their disagreement by means of mediation. Mediation is a legal process in many countries and duties and restrictions of the mediator are determined. One example is Malta Mediation Centre where the mediator’s main actions are explained also in the homepage. The principal role of the mediator is to facilitate communication between the parties in conflict with a view to helping them reach a voluntary resolution to their dispute that is timely, fair and cost- effective. Although the mediator manages the meeting and is in charge of the proceedings, he/she should not impose solutions or decisions and has no power to force a settlement. A solution should only be reached by agreement between the parties. They are responsible for the ultimate resolution of the dispute. Furthermore, a mediator has no right or duty to provide legal advice to the parties even if he/she happens to be a lawyer. The parties should seek legal advice solely from their legal counsel. The mediator, however, may raise issues and help parties explore options (Roles and Duties…, 2018).