Advancing Inclusive Mediation Through the Lens of Leadership
Strategic Security Analysis No. 4 (Geneva Centre for Security Policy), 2019
15 Pages Posted: 18 Jul 2019
Date Written: March 17, 2019
Abstract
The complex, volatile and long-lasting nature of contemporary conflicts demands more inclusive mediation processes. These must recognise shifting power structures and connect local, national and global actors. One way to achieve this is to increase the representation of women mediators globally. Greater transparency and a move towards skills-based recruitment of mediators of violent conflicts would help to increase the representation of women by overcoming existing biases within the system to recognise broader experience and transferrable skills to build diverse teams; shifting the emphasis towards skills such as emotional intelligence which play a critical role in teaming and conflict mediation; and enabling the professionalisation of conflict mediation and level the playing field. Finally, skills-based recruitment would also enable greater synergy between Tracks I, II and III to facilitate more inclusive peace processes that are likely to deliver long-term peace and more resilient societies.
Keywords: mediation; gender; inclusion
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