Mediation is an alternative mechanism for dispute settlement, commonly used when enforcement is ineffective. It has been increasingly seen as an effective means to prevent, manage and resolve disputes in both conflict and non-conflicted environments, including, for example, in the prevention of inter and intra-gang violence. However, with the growing complexity of contemporary conflicts, many questions arise regarding this method and the role of the mediator in conducting such processes. How to guarantee a comprehensive support to mediators and to their processes, making them the most effective one to prevent violence? How to ensure the role of women as leaders of the mediation? What way governments, civil society and international community can support these efforts? The session aims to present an overview about lessons learned on mediation processes and discuss those questions.

A talk by Felipe Botero, Yvette Chesson-Wureh, Juan Camilo Cock, Óscar Escobar and Benjamin Smith

GI-TOC, Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC), Fundación Alvaralice, Municipality of Palmira,Colombia and Centre for Humanitarian Diaolgue