At the core of Kathrin’s words to the audience of aspiring peace practitioners was the encouragement to challenge the core assumptions held in the design, operationalisation and evaluation of peace mediation processes.
Participants were asked to consider the normative framing of the role of women in peace processes, as well as the approaches taken in the analysis of conflicts and how new and evolving dynamics of intractable conflicts and the practice of peace mediation serve as barriers that may even call the viability of mediation as an effective solution into question.
The credibility of the mediator as a reliable “honest broker” was also reflected upon. Kathrin posed questions to the audience of whether a mediator’s legitimacy should be derived from their professional credentials, previous engagement or notoriety and clout? Another question she raised was whether countries of the Global North can continue to justify their positions as peace makers in the Global South regardless of their own internal discord?
EIP’s Hilde Johnson further captivated the audience with lessons she has garnered from over twenty years of experience, predominantly in Sudan. Stamina and long-term commitment to establishing trust was advised as best practice by the former Norwegian Minister of International Development. Hilde also underlined the need to advance gender equality at a domestic level in order to facilitate the access for female participation in international peace mediation processes.
Photography: © 2020, YPFP Brussels
In 2021, mediatEUr became Conciliation Resources EU/mediatEUr.