Culture in Mediation

The course will look into different ways of approaching intractable cross-cultural conflicts. While some assume that these conflicts are caused by the existence of cultural differences, others claim that the root causes stem from perceptions, difficulties in communicating and understanding each other, dictated by cultural frameworks. The course will focus on common ground for intercultural and interreligious dialogue, as well as on exploring various methods for resolving cross-cultural conflicts through dialogue and negotiations, or third-party facilitation and mediation. The course will also look into ways of improving the conflict resolution processes by cultural means and instruments.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

— Define and understand cross-cultural conflict and its relations to identity, ethnicity and religion;
— Acquire insights into the role of culture in conflict, and into ways the concepts of culture are being framed in negotiation, mediation, conflict prevention and resolution;
— Apply acquired skills in cross-cultural conflict analysis, conflict monitoring and stakeholders mapping by using relevant tools and techniques;
— Better understand cross-cultural conflict drivers, actors and dynamics, and identify historic and structural causes of conflict;
— Understand the role of culture in interpreting behavior and actions, and in meaning- making, as well as the importance of a set of values, both overt and invisible;
— Develop mediation strategies and inclusive mediation processes in cross-cultural settings and use various modalities for a greater inclusion of women;
— Apply various methods and a range of skills, techniques and good practices for resolving cross-cultural conflicts through dialogue and negotiations, or third-party facilitation and mediation;

— Differentiate culture-driven negotiation styles and skills, and design negotiation strategy to tackle the cultural dimension in conflict resolution;
— Identify common ground for intercultural and interreligious dialogue;
— Apply essential skills for mediating cross-cultural conflict;
— Acquire and be able to apply communication skills and techniques in cross-cultural communication;
— Understand and apply ways of improving the conflict resolution processes by cultural means and instruments;
— Deal with political, moral and legal dilemmas which may arise in cross-cultural conflict resolution and mediation.

This program is designed for senior and mid-level staff members working in international organizations headquarters and field operations (UN, AU, OSCE, EU, etc.), and those working in governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, or preparing to serve in peace operations and in diplomatic service. The objective of the course is to enhance their specific knowledge and skills to manage the cultural dimension, as well as to enable them to develop a deeper understanding of ways to prevent, mitigate, and resolve cross-cultural conflicts.

The participants will learn from senior experts and practitioners in the field, and university professors, and the activities are devised to be highly interactive through discussions, Q&A sessions, group work, role-play and hands-on exercises and assignments.

The courses will be conducted virtually via the Zoom software.