News

Fifth edition of Training for Insider Mediators
22 Mar 2019 - 15:48
Bron: Clingendael Academy

Last week, Clingendael Academy closed its 5th edition of the two-week Negotiation and Mediation Training as a Conflict Resolution Instrument for Insider Mediators. The training was, as previous editions were, organized in collaboration with the UNDP. Twenty insider mediators from fifteen different countries participated in the programme.

There is a growing recognition that the work of mediators internal to the conflict, who generally understand the conflict at a deeper level than outsiders and who are continuously present in conflict affected areas, is key to building bridges and preventing violence.

Empowering them and supporting their work can therefor contribute to peace, and the Clingendael-UNDP collaboration seeks to do just that.

Participants said they learnt most through practicing with negotiation and mediation instruments and techniques through Clingendael's simulations. Some indicated the course gave them deeper insights into what mediation is.

"I appreciated the learning-by-doing and the simulations. It showed me how the different parties to a conflict think and how to understand them."

"I realize now that mediation is not 'to run things' but actually much more to keep in the background, to keep quiet, to listen."

Mediation training

By the end of the training, all participants felt more confident to engage in mediation upon their return home.

"Now I know how to build a bridge between the different parties in the conflict."

This training falls under the “Negotiation and Mediation as an Instrument for Conflict Resolution” training facility, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Do not hesitate to contact us in case you would like to know more.