We are all on a journey from birth to death, having differing experiences. In any moment, every one of us has the power to reduce unnecessary human suffering and increase happiness.
Influential Speaker | Transformational Trainer | Engaging Podcast Host
Inspiring audiences, empowering hearts and minds, and sparking meaningful conversations. With a passion for storytelling and a mission to transform conflict into contribution, Maria delivers impactful speeches, result-driven training, and thought-provoking podcast discussions. Whether on stage, in a workshop, or behind the mic, Maria educates, engages and elevates individuals, organisations.
Her message strikes at the very heart of communication and relationships, Maria shows us how to dissolve tension and stress in order to build relationships that support us to be the best we can be.
All Things Conflict - Hosted by Maria Arpa
New Podcast Coming Soon….
Creator of the Dialogue Road Map ™
In 2004, Maria created the Dialogue Road Map in response to an increase in drive by shootings in her neighbourhood. In 2006 Maria founded a charity called the Centre for Peaceful Solutions and by 2010 the charity had developed a model of mediation for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).
The work has taken her into some of the most socially deprived areas of London and New York where she has facilitated peaceful solutions for everything from hostile parents and teenagers, separated parents at loggerheads to neighbours at war, street gang rivalries, and threats to life. It became clear that while the weapons are different, the same toxic competitiveness also applies to business deals gone wrong, boardroom disputes and workplace conflicts.
The Dialogue Road Map empowers participants to communicate in ways which build better relationships. It is used for resolving conflict, repairing harm, collective decision making, and healing at individual and systemic levels. It challenges people to live in harmony with their values. The Dialogue Road Map has specific applications in leadership and governance for collaborative decision making, problem solving and conflict resolution
Each year Maria trains a small cohort each year to become DRM practitioners.
Conflict Resolution Expert
Over thirty years of mediation, facilitation and healing expertise, alongside an unrelenting thirst for innovation and development, brings a depth of knowledge and a pool of wisdom rarely evidenced in the field
Described, in 2012, by the Civil Mediation Council as one of the UK’s ‘top’ mediators, and having received an MBE in 2020 for services to Mediation, Maria’s work is well recognised.
Maria’s experience ranges from Multi-National Corporate conflict to Street Gang threats to life and everything in between. Typically, neighbours at war, youth conflicts, family break up, family reconciliation, business deals gone wrong, interpersonal conflicts at work and group communication break-down, are all in a day’s work.
Nowadays, Maria is commissioned by Industry Leaders to help businesses and communities design out conflict by creating systems and processes that put people first.
Mentor & Coach
To enter into a mentoring and coaching relationship with Maria is to embark on an adventure where possibilities are measured against risk, and a strategy arrived at that which advocates for change within current tolerances while broadening horizons and confronting resistance. Maria applies a blend of compassionate, non-judgemental exploration along with rigorous reality checks that support sustainable transformation.
In this way, the gap between intentions and actions can be reviewed, adjusted and implemented whilst measured against self-care and wellbeing.
In a professional setting this means improved performance, renewed vigour and a calm, resilient approach to the ups and downs of work.
In life this means enhanced relationships, enlightened decision making and evolved thinking.
These days Maria works with a select few clients and her genuine, authentic care is evident from the first meeting.
Healing
Maria is a Reiki Master with over 20 years of practising the art of energy healing.
Life is a healing process, whether from childhood wounding, oppression, violence, abuse or powerlessness, during adulthood we will arrive at a time when the only way to move forward is to take responsibility for our own healing.
Taking responsibility means learning how and when to get support that empowers you and leaves you in the driving seat of your own life.
Maria’s mastery of channelling and intuition creates the conditions in which a person can become in touch with their own healing powers.
PARTNERS
Testimonials
Maria has helped me avoid violent confrontations as well as discussing issues with my partner differently. I am more open minded about the problems in my relationships and can see now there are many different outcomes. I now don't feel as trapped and can talk about my issues with others.
This course has been transformative for me both personally and professionally. It has been a joy to journey with others and sit under the wisdom of Maria and her team. I have definitely learned new skills that have helped me have conversations of a different character in the workplace, working with deeper humanity for reconciliation. The experience has been more than this, though; I feel that I have been invited into a new way of being in the world and resourced to live this out. I am no longer the same person as when I started.
" This is a precious force for good, able to assist the setting of a direction where the resolution of conflict is a basic human right. The hope of redemption grows alongside the embedded daily delivery of conflict mediation where potential is realised in tangible results "
" The Dialogue Road Map has extraordinary potential for impact in education. Education is at its best when the relationships it depends upon are also at their best. The Dialogue Road Map could give everyone in education - young people and adults alike; a set of skills that enables them to create, sustain, and enrich the relationship needed for learning to take place. As a teacher, I now can't imagine being in the classroom without DRM Skills "
“ The work that Maria is doing challenges us to face squarely the responsibilities that are ours and equally to say "No, absolutely not" to guilt trips. It is of vital importance to our mental health and must be promoted and supported ''
" Maria is an incredibly talented mediator, who communicates with passion and expertise on the subject of conflict. Working with Maria was an extremely valuable experience: she is a challenging, direct and vibrant person, willing to take risks, innovate and campaign for change "
" Maria is a visionary leader who works with passion and purpose and imbues that same sense of passion and purpose in everyone she works with. She is a natural innovator whose energy and tenacious commitment to her practice have resulted in the Dialogue Road Map being an innovative model for changing how we think and communicate. Seeing her 'in action' is a transformative experience. I love working with Maria; she's prepared to take risks through her unique approach, which is creating a more compassionate and positive society "
Never has the world been more divided. Where there is division, suspicion and fear, there is conflict
Maria Arpa MBE
Get In Touch
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