We are proud to share that our Managing Partner, Nicolas Kanellopoulos had the honour of delivering the opening address at the 35th UIA World Forum of Mediation Centres, held in Athens on 19 June 2026. The Forum was organised by the Union Internationale des Avocats under the patronage of the Minister of Justice of Greece and the auspices of the City of Athens, bringing together leading mediation practitioners, legal professionals, and academics from across five continents.
Mr. Kanellopoulos in his capacity as Secretary General of the Organization for the Promotion of Alternative Methods of Dispute Resolution (OPEMED), in his remarks, reflected on the deep roots of dialogue and dispute resolution in Athens — a city where, as he noted, reason was first elevated as the highest instrument of human coexistence. He traced the evolution of mediation in Greece from its early legislative steps following the transposition of the EU Directive in 2010 to its current status as a maturing and indispensable field, now extending into areas such as healthcare, technology, and cross-border enforcement. Looking ahead, he highlighted the key themes shaping the future of the profession — including the ethics of mediation, the rise of AI and “Mediation 2.0”, the challenges of training, and enforcement complexities — underscoring that these conversations will define how practitioners serve individuals and institutions in the years to come.
