Assessment

Before committing to any involvement in a mediation process, the HD Centre carries out a rigorous process of assessment and evaluation. Initially, the HD Centre monitors conflicts wherever they may be. These are periodically reviewed, and a formal assessment may consequently be initiated.

The process
The first step involves a detailed analysis of the context and causes of the conflict, its particular situation and the character of the leading personalities. This is a process of research of secondary data and consultations with experts, which leads to an internal report.

Senior staff members of the HD Centre review the report and, if appropriate, the assessment process moves to the next stage. This involves a field mission to the area to meet key actors, including representatives of the parties involved in the conflict. This direct contact is crucial in determining:

• whether mediation efforts are timely;
• whether other mediation efforts already exist; and
• whether the HD Centre would be welcomed by the parties.

It is the HD Centre's professional ethic not to intervene or offer an intervention if there is already a mediator in place. The results of this field mission, or series of visits, then provide the basis for a decision on whether or not to begin a new project.

The value
The assessment process serves an important purpose. It allows the HD Centre to undertake a full evaluation of any particular conflict, increasing insight and understanding. This is crucial for making a sound and well-informed decision on the future involvement of the HD Centre, and on which strategies to adopt.

The HD Centre's assessments have shown their value in the past, even if they have often led to a decision not to initiate a formal project. In all cases, project assessments have been opportunities to gather useful information on the situation and to develop relationships for the future.