The Special Secretary for Alternative Dispute Resolution (SSADR) of the Ministry of Justice, Ms. Olympia Anastasopoulou, participated as a speaker at the 6th International Mediation Conference, organized by the Legal Library and the Hellenic Arbitration Center (EODID) on 5 June 2025 in Athens.
During the first thematic panel, titled “Mediation and the State”, the Special Secretary presented the strategic objectives of the Ministry of Justice for strengthening and promoting the institution of mediation, as well as the processes for drafting the new Alternative Dispute Resolution Code. This Code will introduce a unified, modern, and effective institutional framework covering all out-of-court dispute resolution mechanisms.
In her remarks, the Special Secretary emphasized the importance of cooperation with all relevant stakeholders to create a functional and reliable system of dialogue. At the same time, she acknowledged existing inefficiencies and reiterated the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to addressing them in a substantive and institutionally grounded manner. It was noted that two projects under the responsibility of the Special Secretariat are already being implemented through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, while additional funding is being sought through the NSRF programs and the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism, aiming to support and further develop the institution.
Finally, it was highlighted that the promotion of mediation is not merely an institutional or legal reform but a shift in mindset, requiring strategic planning, consistency, and open dialogue with society and professionals in the field.
