MiKK International Mediation Center for Family Conflict and Child Abduction

Founded in 2002, MiKK is an independent and neutral NGO and a leading international specialist in cross-border family mediation, particularly in international parental child abduction, custody and relocation disputes. Over the past 20 years, MiKK has played a leading role in developing cross-border family mediation into a distinct professional discipline (CBFM®). 

• Professional training and judicial capacity building are central to MiKK’s mission. With the support of EU co-funding, MiKK has pioneered specialist training programmes, such as the 50-hour MiKK Cross-Border Family Mediation (CBFM®) Training. MiKK has shaped best practices, developed mediation models and set key quality standards in the field of cross-border family mediation. Trainings in mediation and EU family law are delivered to mediation and legal professionals from across the European Union and internationally.

• The MiKK International Network is a key resource. It brings together 240+ specialized, multi-lingual CBFM®-trainedfamily mediators based in 45+ countries, mediating in 40+ languages. It also includes an international Family Lawyers Listing of bi-lingual lawyers with recognised expertise in international parental child abduction cases.

• The International MiKK Advisory & Pre-Mediation Service is another unique resource. It is multilingual (EN,DE, PL, ES, FR, IT, CR) and available free of charge for parents worldwide. MiKK also offers free of charge Online Parent Support Groups (“MiPCAS”). MiKK has supported thousands of families in resolving complex international custody and child abduction  - in line with MiKK’s overall mission to safeguard the best interests of the child.

MiKK cooperates with key international stakeholders, including the European Parliament (Coordinator on Children’s Rights), the HCCH and the Council of Europe (CoE), thereby promoting cross-border family mediation and advancing the field at European and international level. The vast majority of MiKK’s activities are co-funded by the EU.

Training and Capacity Building

Training and judicial capacity building are central to MiKK’s mandate. The trainings, delivered online and on-site, are aimed at all professionals - mediators, lawyer, judges, Central Authorities, Guardian ad Litems etc - working in the field of cross-border family disputes and international parental child abduction. Most trainings are EU co-funded, with some offered free of charge or including EU-funded places for participants from selected Member States.

• MiKK Cross-Border Family Mediation (CBFM®) Training

The 50-hour interactive CBFM® Training aims to equip practising family mediators with the knowledge and practical skills required to mediate complex cross-border disputes and international child abduction cases. 

CBFM® Trainings are delivered in different languages and locations. They are conducted in English, German, French, Spanish and Ukrainian/English (online) and takes place in Berlin, Strasbourg, Madrid, Osaka, Singapore as well as online.

• Spring Webinar Series – ONLINE (free of charge)

MiKK mediators from different countries share their expertise with fellow mediators from the global MiKK Network, promoting professional exchange and continued learning. 

• Annual Ongoing Training (On-site) in Berlin

Each autumn, MiKK organises three specialised workshops and seminars in Berlin, open to MiKK mediators and professionals from related disciplines.

• Peer Consultation & Intervision – ONLINE (free of charge)

Monthly moderated online sessions support reflection, case discussion and professional development.

• Wednesday Webinar Series on the Brussels IIb Regulation – ONLINE

These webinars aim to support EU family judges and lawyers in the practical application of the Brussels IIb Regulation in parental responsibility and international child abduction cases. The webinars contribute to consistent implementation of the Brussels IIb Regulation across EU Member States. 

(please note: The Webinar for EU Family JUDGES is free of charge)

Miscellaneous Other Trainings

• Trainings for Guardian ad Litems in Hague abduction cases – in Berlin
• Child Inclusive Mediation Training (CIM) in Hague abduction cases – in Berlin

MiKK Global Mediators Network

Qualified mediators who complete the CBFM® training and demonstrate intercultural competence may apply to join the International MiKK Mediators Network (245+ mediators in 45 countries, 40+languages) and be listed on the MiKK website. They are eligible to mediate cases referred to them through the multilingual MiKK Advisory and Pre-Mediation Service (see below).

Services for Parents (free of charge)

MiKK offers a free and multilingual Advisory & Pre-Mediation Service (English, German, Polish, Spanish, French, Italian and Croatian). For parents wishing to mediate, MiKK organises bilingual co-mediations in accordance with its specialised 4B Model (bi-lingual, bi-cultural, bi-gender, bi-professional). In addition, MiKK offers free online MiPCAS Parent Support Groups (in English).

Key Publication Resources (EU co-funded).

In 2023, MiKK published the Textbook on Cross-Border Family Mediation and Child Abduction, authored by 15 international experts (also available as an e-book). (EU co-funded)

Cross-Border Family Mediation. International Parental Child Abduction, Custody and Access Cases  Christoph C. Paul, Sybille Kiesewetter, Ischtar Khalaf-Newsome (eds.). 
3^rd expanded and updated edition, 2023, Frankfurt/Main: Wolfgang Metzner Verlag.

All Information on Trainings & Resources:

https://mikk-ev.org/publications/ 

Free downloadable resources  

• Information Films (Brussels IIb Regulation and Mediation)

• Multilingual court template letters (31 languages), 

• Mediation flyers (30 languages) 

• The AMICABLE Best Practice Tool (cross-border enforceability of mediated family agreements)

• and further professional materials.

Free Trainings and Services:

• EU co-funded, free CBFM® Training places for mediators from selected EU States
• Wednesday Webinars for EU Family Judges
• MiKK Spring Webinars (free for MiKK Mediators)
• Peer Consultation & Intervision (free for MiKK Mediators)
• MiKK Advisory & Pre-Mediation Service (free)
• MiPCAS (free)