Strengthening Practice : Mediation Tools

What are mediation tools?

The HD Centre is developing a series of publications on the management of dialogue and mediation processes. The series consists of several publications which give the reader a concise overview of issues, discuss dilemmas, present options and offer examples of how these dilemmas were addressed in past peace processes.

The series recognises that mediation is a complicated endeavour and that there are often many different ways of managing a process. It does not prescribe practice but provides a platform for sharing experiences across processes and among mediators so as to inform the thinking of future mediation teams.

Each publication in the series is being developed in consultation with experienced mediators, who also act as peer reviewers.

Three publications in the series have been released: External actors in mediation, Engaging with armed groups, and Negotiating ceasefires.

You can listen to an interview with Teresa Whitfield, author of Engaging with armed groups, in the HD Centre's first podcast below:

Forthcoming publications will address issues such as managing spoilers, the role of civil society in peace processes, mediation and election related crisis, as well as confidence building measures.  The series will be used by the HD Centre in its own mediation operations and in its work with regional organisations. It will also be shared with the wider mediation community and disseminated to the Oslo forum network of mediators.