IMI International Peace Day Hybrid Conference Resources

Working Towards a More Peaceful and Just World

Mediation can resolve disputes and bring peace and healing to participants. As conflicts and crises abound worldwide, mediators’ transferrable skills and outlook as well as the structure of the mediation process have a larger role to play. To mark World Peace Day, on 21 September 2022 the International Mediation Institute convened three panels of mediation, legal industry and corporate leaders to reflect on how we may work together, towards a more peaceful and just world.

We explored mediators’ role in peacebuilding as well as their important role in enabling business to be conducted smoothly and Environmental, Social and Governance goals to be met by societies. Bearing in mind that lawyers are often instrumental for mediations to be considered and their outcome to be successful, we likewise explored mediation advocacy best practices – how they enhance a lawyer’s practice, what are the benefits for lawyers and clients alike and what is the role of training and the IMI Mediation Advocacy Criteria and certification.

Resources for Further Reflection

Panel I – Mediation in the Service of a More Peaceful and Just World 

 

• Peacemaking and Peacebuilding in South Africa – The National Peace Accord, 1991-1994, by Liz Carmichael
• “Mediation in a Time of Crisis: Pandemic, Prejudice, Police, and Political Polarization”, by Kenneth Cloke, 2021
• Strengthening Displaced Women’s Housing, Land and Property Rights in Afghanistan, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

Suggested readings to reflect on gender and peace mediation

• Bell, C. and Turner, C (2021). Increasing the Representation of Women Peace Mediators: Collaborative Leadership Models for Ensuring Equality. Cairo, UN Women.
• Constantinou, C., (2022), Humanitarian diplomacy as moral history, Peacebuilding, London.
• Palmiano Federer J. P. and Gasser R., (2016). ‘International Peace Mediation and Gender: Bridging the Divide’, Policy Brief V.6. N.05, Rio de Janeiro, BRICS Policy Center.
• Sørensen, B., (2008), ‘Humanitarian NGOs and mediations of political order in Sri Lanka’, Critical Asian Studies, Volume 40, Issue 1, London.
• Turner, C (2019), ‘That’s Beyond You: Barriers to Women Accessing High Level Mediation Roles’. Durham University. Economic and Social Research Council.
• UN resolutions and frameworks on peace mediation and the role of women: UN Security Council Resolutions: 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2008), 1889 (2009), 1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013), 2242 (2015), 2282 (2016), 70/262 (2016)2467 (2019) and 2493 (2019). Women, peace & security and humanitarian action compact framework, UN Women.

Examples of organisations working on peace mediation (non-exhaustive list)

• The United States Institute for Peace (USIP)
• The International Crisis Group (ICG)
• Search for Common Ground
• Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
• Center for International Peace Operarions (ZIF)
• Berghof Foundation
• Norwegian Refugee Council
• Danish Refugee Council
• Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD)
• Swisspeace

Women Mediator Networks

• Global alliance: https://www.globalwomenmediators.org/
• Mediterranean: https://womenmediators.net/
• Nordic: https://nordicwomenmediators.org/
• Commonwealth: https://www.c-r.org/programme/women-mediators-across-commonwealth
• Arab: https://www.globalwomenmediators.org/arab-women-mediators-network/
• African Union: https://www.globalwomenmediators.org/femwise-africa/
• SouthEast Asia: https://www.globalwomenmediators.org/southeast-asian-network-of-women-peace-negotiators-and-mediators/

Panel II – Lawyers as Peacemakers and the Future of Mediation Advocacy

• IMI Competency Criteria for Mediation Advocates and Advisors
• Mediation Advocacy Qualifying Assessment Programs may be searched here

Panel III – The Mediators’ Green Pledge and Mediating Environmental, Social and Governance Issues

Podcast Recommendation: “The Human Face of a Green Economy”: a three-part podcast series

This first episode in a 3-part series with Elise Groulx Diggs and Susanne Schuler explores ‘Climate Risk Mapping’. This involves the challenges of building social contracts and the need to achieve a “Social License” through the value of true consent. In this 3-part podcast series, you will learn how mediators can and should play a key role in facilitating a just transition to Net Zero.

“When talking about responsible investment, we need to consider both environmental and social project impacts including continuous assessment and management oversight, and to engage with local stakeholders in all phases of the project.”

CEDR’s Virtual Roundtable on resolving Environment, Social and Governmental (ESG) disputes

Mediator’s Green Pledge

• World Mediators Alliance on Climate Change: https://womacc.org/
• “The Future We Choose: THE STUBBORN OPTIMIST’S GUIDE TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS”, By Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac