On 31 March 2026, Erick Mukiza, accredited mediator and Executive Director of ESS, was invited by the High Court Mediation Centre Tanzania to contribute to planning the first-ever ADR Week 2026 in Tanzania. The meeting took place at the High Court Mediation Centre Dar es Salaam and brought together ADR stakeholders, practitioners, and representatives from the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs Tanzania.
The meeting was chaired by Hon. Judge Arufani Kweka on behalf of Hon. Judge Zahra Maruma, who is in charge of the Mediation Centre, and assisted by Deputy Registrar Hon. Augustina Mmbando.
During the discussion, Mukiza emphasized the need for collaborative public education on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). He encouraged stakeholders to jointly inform communities about when and where to access private mediation services and how the process works. He also proposed a joint training program bringing together court annexed mediators and private mediators to strengthen shared standards, professional ethics, and quality of mediation practice.
The judiciary accepted these recommendations and agreed on the importance of collaboration among ADR practitioners. The Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs also expressed commitment to supporting this initiative introduced by the judiciary, marking an important step toward strengthening mediation practice and public awareness in Tanzania. ⚖️🤝
