European Mediation Conference, Belfast, April 2008

The conference, jointly organised by the Scottish Mediation Network, was a considerable success. Keynote speeches by Jan Egeland, Director, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, President Ahtisaari, Chairman, Conflict Management Initiative, and others, inspired the 400 delegates. In a series of talks and workshops, we were educated about the extraordinary developments over the last 20 years in conflict resolution in Northern Ireland and the impact which behind the scenes negotiation and mediation played in bringing about the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent reconciliation. One of the most interesting aspects of the conference was the breadth of participation from across Europe and the pace at which mediation is developing in many countries, particularly in the Balkans. Much food for thought for us in Scotland!

The First Minister, Alex Salmond, wrote to all delegates and his letter contained the following paragraph:

“Ten years ago, on Good Friday 1998, international mediators were acknowledged for their contribution to a milestone in the Peace Process in Ireland and it is appropriate that on the anniversary of that historic occasion the themes of this conference are building relationships and getting results.

The Scottish Government is a strong supporter of the increased use of alternative forms of dispute resolution, including mediation and is currently providing funding in a number of areas…raising public awareness of the existence and merits of mediation and looking at the issue of quality assurance.”

John Sturrock led a workshop session at the conference on Multi Party Mediation. Gavin Davis, Legal Adviser with Standard Life Employee Services Limited was there and writes this report:

“For me one of the highlights of the recent European Mediation Conference was the workshop by Core on Multi Party Mediation. 45 delegates from all over Europe took on the roles of representatives of the various stakeholders in the climate change debate from the hydrocarbon industry; concerned citizens; to global bodies like the United Nations.”

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