Justice & Peacemaking : Working with mediators

What issues are involved in working with mediators?

The HD Centre's special role as a mediator and experience in working with other mediators provides it with a unique opportunity to research and convey the principles of different aspects of justice with a special focus on the peacemaking community. Some aspects of this justice work, notably the report on justice issues in peace agreements, have been used as background materials for meetings with mediators.

What activities has the HD Centre undertaken to address this issue?

The HD Centre engaged the justice community in dialogue with mediators on the place of justice in peace processes. As part of a specific attempt to improve the general understanding of the mandate of the International Criminal Court and its work, and to assess its impact on peace processes, the Chief Prosecutor of the Court addressed three of the HD Centre's retreats for senior mediators. A meeting was also organised at the HD Centre in Geneva on 11 March 2008 to discuss the impact of the International Criminal Court's activities on peace processes.

In June 2007, the HD Centre co-organised a workshop on the topic of Negotiating Justice at the conference 'Building a Future on Peace and Justice' held in Nuremberg, Germany. The workshop, and conference, involved mediators, justice and development actors, and others working on justice issues and peace processes.

The HD Centre's work has also focused on specific topics in relation to justice and peace processes, including post-conflict reconstruction of the justice sector, and the role of traditional justice systems in strengthening this reconstruction. Various reports on those issues have been produced and disseminated, including through in-country workshops with participation of the formal and informal aid communities.

Donors to the project

The HD Centre would like to acknowledge and thank the Canadian International Development
Agency and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for their financial support to this project which is now closed.