Strengthening Practice : Tools for mediation

What are the HD Centre’s objectives in providing Tools for Mediation?

The HD Centre has created this programme to offer to the mediation community a set of practical tools which can be used across a variety of mediation processes. 

Peace process management often seems to be discovered during the process itself and there is often a lack of relevant and practical material that captures the key dilemmas faced by mediators. They have frequently approached the HD Centre for brief, succinct practical information on issues related to peace process management, such as how to put a team together and who to include at the negotiating table. Despite the uniqueness of each mediation process, there are common themes and similar types of decisions confronting mediators.

What activities are planned for the programme in 2008?

During the course of 2008, the HD Centre intends to: 

• Hold interviews with a number of experienced mediators, to uncover the types of information they find useful while working on a mediation process and the issues that they need more information on.
• Produce a series of practical tools aimed at mediators and their support staff, on various aspects of managing mediation processes such as: establishing a mediation team; designing confidence building measures; including civil society in a process; coordinating with external actors and other potential mediators; managing public information and relations to the media; including women in peace processes; coordinating with peace-building activities while mediation processes are ongoing; and, preparing for the implementation of agreements. 
• Disseminate these tools to the wider conflict mediation community through the HD Centre’s network and through workshops and meetings in Africa and Asia. 
• Hold expert workshops where representatives of organisations focusing on mediation, including the United Nations Mediation Support Unit (MSU), organisations practicing private diplomacy, and experienced mediators, discuss the usefulness of the material, its format, ways to make it more accessible and relevant, and the issues it should focus on, thereby ensuring a collaborative approach with other organisations.
• Inform and consult with its peer community on the production of the tools, including the UN MSU. 
• Identify and commission the most qualified consultants with analytical and writing skills as well as practical experience in mediation processes.