Principles of Integrative Mediation

As part of our commitment to professional service and ethical conflict resolution, CSSP has developed a few principles which guide our interaction with partners and stakeholders in the field. At the core of these principles lies the understanding that interventions, projects, and cooperation must be sustainable and empowering. Below are some principles which together underpin our work.

Capacity-building

In order to ensure long-term impact of our work, we seek to build local capacities and skills in problem-solving. In this regard we build capacity of local leaders as well as of staff of international organizations in the peacebuilding field. Our activities vary from one to five day workshops to seminars and lectures.

Confidence-building

We actively work with the stakeholders to develop ideas and projects which will enhance inter-community trust and function as confidence-building measures through joint design, joint implementation, joint gains, and joint contribution.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is central to trust-building and respect.  It implies for us that information is not attributed to any one person unless permission is granted.  We seek to be as transparent as possible in processes we develop and with the persons involved.  Additionally all of our meetings are held under the principle of confidentiality.

Gender sensitivity

As a result of socially ascribed roles in society women and men often experience conflict and conflict resolution differently.  They often also have different needs and represent their interests in different ways.  It is our experience that problem-solving is enhanced by ensuring that men and women equally participate in the design, solutions, and implementation of conflict resolution in accordance with UNSCR 1325.  We also strive to promote awareness of the central role both women and men play in promoting peace and the need to see both as victims and agents in their own conflicts. 

Inclusiveness

In an effort to ensure maximum gains for problem-solving we strive to ensure that as many voices are heard and integrated into our projects as possible. This implies working with appointed, elected, and identified community leaders.  It also means reaching out to disempowered and vulnerable groups as part of the process design and implementation.

Omnipartiality

While it is a core principle of mediation not to take sides or show preference, it is equally important to understand stakeholders in their own reality. Omnipartiality is the ability to empathize with all sides, work within each side’s reality, and still maintain one's own role and understanding without have to take a particular side or position.  It differs from impartiality in that at CSSP we have taken the side of pro-peace and dedicate ourselves to promoting the interest of those not at the table or actors struggling for peace.

Multi-level networking

In order to promote sustainable peace, CSSP works with all actors and levels of decision-making interested in making a difference.  Furthermore, we have the responsibility to bring together stakeholders from different sectors or levels of governance to encourage information sharing and cooperation.

Professionalism

We are committed to a high level of ethical standards, including the philosophy that as external actors our actions and initiatives should do no harm. We treat all parties, actors and organizations with equal respect and dignity and we strive for a high level of professionalism.

Promotion of ADR

In all of our projects we seek the development of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms.  Furthermore, we aim to support and work with existing mediation mechanisms and actors in countries where we work.

Responsibility

The credibility of the mediation process increases if local parties take responsibility for implementation without being forced by external actors.

Reflecting local realities

Conflict transformation is best served when interventions reflect local realities and are created to adapt as the need arises.

Result-oriented

Integrative Mediation focuses on what can be achieved at a specific level at a specific moment.  All of our formats seek to have an outcome which can be followed-up and documented. 

Sustainability

We are committed to identifying concrete and measurable standards of evaluation and success.  While each mediation session or meeting stands alone we see mediation as embedded in a wider process which develops with the parties.  In order to make our work more sustainable all of our projects and processes have a capacity-building component.

Lessons Learned

At CSSP we seek to learn with our partners and to continue to develop.  Each project is approached through the lens of two-way experiential learning in order to enhance and develop our work in the field. In this regard, the Integrative Mediation approach is seen as an evolving concept.