IMI proudly supports the landmark 1st International Congress of CCAMI — Geopolitics, Conflict Resolution, and Human Rights, and the official launch of CCAMI in Brazil.
On October 23, 2025, São Paulo hosted the 1st International Congress of the Chamber of Conciliation, Arbitration and Intercultural Mediation (CCAMI) — marking the official launch of CCAMI in Brazil.
Held at the Hotel Tivoli Mofarrej, the Congress was organized in partnership with the Sustainable Humanitarian Empowerment Institute (SHE) and brought together more than 25 nationalities for a full day of dialogue on geopolitics, intercultural justice, migration, climate change, and corporate responsibility. The event featured four major panels and inspirational keynotes addressing global power dynamics, migration, ESG, peacebuilding, and intercultural mediation. Accessibility and inclusion were prioritized through simultaneous English–Portuguese translation and hybrid participation via CCAMI Academy.
International speakers included: · Andy Rogers (CEDR and IMI Director, UK) · Natascha Tunkel (Austria) · Gary Birnberg (USA) · Jean-Christophe Barth-Coullaré (Switzerland/France) · Shaun Henriques, FCIArb (Jamaica/UAE) · Gabriela Ourivio Assmar (Brazil/Switzerland) · Thomas John, MCIArb (Netherlands/Australia/Vienna) · Zachary Calo (Qatar/USA) · Zouhdi Yakan, LL.M. (ADR) (Abu Dhabi/Dubai) · Ati Alipour (USA/Iran) · Somayeh Ghandali (France/Iran) · and Denise Shaw (USA).
Also attending were national and institutional leaders and executives from leading global companies, including: Fabiola Keramidas (President – CCAMI) · Fernanda Burle (President – SHE Institute) · Rafael Santos (Institutional Relations Coordinator – Aurora Coop) · Bianca Furlan Torralvo (Human Development Manager – JSL S.A.) · Diego Faleck (Lawyer & Mediator – Brazil) · Isabela Bettini Ronco (Institutional & Tax Affairs Manager – Azul Linhas Aéreas) · João Eduardo Cerdeira de Santana (Former Minister of Infrastructure – Brazil) · Benazira Djoco (Project Manager – SHE Institute) · Julia Nogueira (Vice-President – CCAMI) · Kátia Martins Ramos (Executive Director – CCAMI) · Lucas de Aragão (Partner at Arko Advice) · Rissiane dos Santos Goulart (Deputy Vice-President – CCAMI) · Sabrina de Mello Hornos (Professor – CCAMI Academy) · and Silvia Tyrola (Partner – Gerppass Consulting).
Natascha Tunkel, an IMI Certified Mediation Advocate, served as Master of Ceremony alongside Rissiane Goulart and Kátia Ramos, while Denise Shaw delivered the closing keynote, highlighting mediation as a pathway to intercultural understanding. We encourage you to review the full conference recordings and enjoy the panel discussions. Below are a couple of vignettes into the discussions of the day.
Mediation as a Vocation
Dr. Zachary Calo framed his reflection with broad insights on the practice of mediation, describing CCAMI not simply as a project but as a vocation — a moral and human calling that guides individuals toward a deeper understanding of themselves, both as individuals and as part of a community.
Dr. Calo argued that the true nature of mediation resides in the “messy, complex space in between the ideals of reconciliation (love) and the demand for judgment (justice).” He discussed the paradox of control inherent in mediation: while it grants parties control over the process, it simultaneously requires them to relinquish ultimate control by forsaking claims to absolute authority. Entering mediation means accepting a resolution that is likely a pragmatic compromise rather than an ultimate declaration of right. He concluded that mediation is the “most human of arts” because it embraces the complex nature of human beings. By seeking simple, pragmatic peace — a “semblance of peace,” borrowing from St. Augustine — mediation achieves a profound moral good. Calo described this as the modest vocation of the mediator: acting as a guardian of limited, provisional peace. This humility is powerful, as is sharing in the vocation “to repair the world.”
Building Bridges through Dialogue
Denise Shaw centred her address on the essential components of effective mediation and the pivotal role of future professionals in advancing the movement.
Shaw emphasized that mediation is a complex and rigorous process that requires specific qualities from its practitioners, such as trust, curiosity, and deep listening. These qualities are especially vital for resolving conflicts that span cultural and political divides.
She discussed the challenge of addressing conflicts, which involves solving complex puzzles, uncovering facts, and devising protective strategies. Even if no final agreement is reached through the mediation process, a skilled mediator can help move the process toward a resolution to ease subsequent closure. Solutions must be custom-designed and “form-fitting.”
A key element of Shaw’s address was the introduction of two video presentations featuring students and coaches, underscoring the importance of nurturing future mediation talent:
Tara Jay Singha (Sri Lanka) affirmed that mediation competitions are transformative, teaching essential skills such as listening, collaboration, negotiation, and leading with empathy. She highlighted that the main barrier preventing talented students from participating is limited financing for travel and visas. Singha advocated for institutions to provide travel support or inclusion funds, emphasizing true inclusion requires removing practical barriers so all talented students can actively participate, rather than merely be present as representatives of diverse backgrounds.
Lé Jim Omar (Kenya) shared her experience at the CPR competition in São Paulo, noting that as a young Muslim woman from Mombasa, she initially questioned whether she would “fit in” or “belong.” She came to understand that global mediation transcends dispute resolution: it is about shared humanity and building bridges between worlds. While mediating between two Brazilian teams, Omar found that she did not need to understand every word to feel their passion, listening instead with “presence.” She affirmed that listening, empathy, and inclusion are transformative skills that build trust and create safety in dialogue, emphasizing that “talent truly has no nationality.”
Shaw stated that the energy and authenticity of these students are inspiring and command attention. She urged professionals in the field to actively incorporate such talent into the mediation movement. She concluded by praising Fabiola Keramidas and CCAMI for their creative commitment and practical support, describing their efforts to assist women refugees as a “love letter to Brazil.”
The Congress demonstrated the growing relevance of intercultural dialogue and mediation in addressing today’s most pressing global conflicts. It also strengthened CCAMI’s mission to serve as a bridge between cultures, institutions, and communities, aligned with IMI’s commitment to advancing Intercultural Competence and access to justice.
IMI applauds CCAMI and its partners for this milestone event and looks forward to continued collaboration to strengthen mediation’s role as a bridge-builder for a more just and peaceful world.
Recordings of the event are available via CCAMI Academy:
🎥 Watch in English
🎥 Watch in Portuguese
Fabiola Keramidas (President – CCAMI), delivering the opening address
As Brazil’s first institution dedicated to intercultural conflict resolution, the Chamber of Conciliation, Arbitration and Intercultural Mediation (CCAMI) marked a significant advancement in the field. In partnership with the Sustainable Humanitarian Empowerment Institute (SHE), the Congress brought together more than 25 nationalities for a full day of dialogue, highlighting mediation’s critical role in addressing complex issues such as migration, power dynamics, and human dignity — underscoring its value beyond legal settlements to fostering community and contributing to repairing the world.
