SPCS Fall 2023 Colloquium Series event - Nov. 9, 2023
Mediative Practice Beyond Mediation: Peacebuilding though Synergistic Social Interactions
Dr. Tatsushi Arai, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies
Thursday, Nov 9, 2023, 2-4pm
Kent State Student Center, Rm 303
(light refreshments provided)
Mediative practice refers to an organic process of group-based human interactions that orchestrates mediating social functions within conflict-affected relationships and societies. Unlike mediation, which involves negotiation facilitated by a neutral third party, mediative practice doesn't rely on the personalized qualities of a mediator's leadership. Instead, mediative practice generates an emergent, synergistic effect of complementary social functions and relationships that individuals and groups in conflict orchestrate either spontaneously, intentionally, or in combination. Drawing from an action research project, a case study of Myanmar illustrates the concept and effectiveness of mediative practice.
