Mediation
History/Background
The
program started in 2007 with the idea of training mediators in the
Great Lakes Region. Mediation skills greatly enhance facilitators’ abilities
to bring peace, reconciliation, and solutions to conflict in their
communities by bringing together the two parties or groups to build
a cooperative relationship. Historically in the Great Lakes Region
(Rwanda, Burundi, DRC EST and Kenya) conflicts were solved by methods
more like arbitration—people in conflict went to a leader (frequently
called a “wise man”) who ideally heard both sides and
then pronounced a verdict. This is not compatible with the methods
and philosophy
of AVP or HROC where inner wisdom and strength of the participants
is emphasized. From the time AGLI introduced AVP and HROC in the
region facilitators have been asked to resolve issues brought up
by the participants
in their workshops. They felt that they did not have the skills necessary
for this type of conflict resolution. In the past four years AGLI
has sent experienced volunteer mediators from the USA to conduct
initial
mediation training sessions. The training has been highly appreciated
by the participants and other local people because of the great need.
Change Agents for Peace International (CAPI), in collaboration with
AGLI, is contributing to this new program in the Great Lakes Region.
Currently the mediation program works
under CAPI and has begun to show positive results. More than 200
cases have
been resolved successfully and others are still being addressed.
Results-to-Date
From 2007
to the present three mediators have led workshops in the region:
- 2007
- 98 persons were trained in Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi and DRC;
- 2008
- 117 were trained;
- 2009
- 215 persons were trained in Rwanda, Burundi and DRC - Goma and
Uvira;
- 2006
to the present - more than 200 cases were resolved through mediation
and some disputants celebrated the
successful results
of their mediation.
2010 - Main Objective
To establish within
the Great Lakes region local (African) mediators with sufficient skill
and experience to train new mediators on their
own – without need for outside supervision.
2010 PLAN
- Including Burundi, DRC (Goma and Uvira): Kenya, and Rwanda
- Train
new mediators in “hot spot” places like Haut
plateau.
- Offer
capacity building for already trained mediators.
- In
Kenya - train additional mediators in new places where conflicts
are marked and
identified
- Conduct
5 mediation workshops at each site – Burundi,
Goma, Kenya, Rwanda and Uvira. In total there would be 20 apprentice
workshops.
- Lead
2 mediation workshops at each site for capacity building and sharing
experiences with trained mediators
(coaching).
