The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR’s) Multilateral Diplomacy Programme (MDP) organized an interactive two half days workshop on Mediation and Consensus Building for Efficient Diplomacy on 9 and 10 February in Geneva. The  seven diplomats and one UN staff member that participated in this workshop were very satisfied with the skills they learnt and appreciated the interactive format of the workshop that combined theory with practice in the form of simulation exercises.

The skills the participants learned included how to negotiate and mediate in an inter-personal conflict, facilitate constructive dialogues between two conflicting parties in the form of consensus building, support others to find a mutually agreeable solution, facilitate a mediation meeting in a transformative manner, and steer mediation with a structured approach. In addition, they learned the different stages of the mediation process and conflict resolution processes.

The trainer, Mr. Oussama K. Safa, a senior mediator and experienced facilitator, emphasized that the process in a negotiation is just as important as the outcome. He also stated that “every conflict can be resolved, but parties have to be willing to settle.” After the event, one of the participants, Mrs. Sharon Rusu from UNISDR, during an interview with UNITAR stated that “the facilitator was absolutely excellent […] especially in respect to his experience [that] was fundamental to making this a comprehensive and very worthwhile course.”

Watch the following video to see highlights of the workshop. Participants work in groups during a simulation exercise and provide feedback on the training they received.

For more information about upcoming diplomatic executive training courses and registration, please visit our website at: http://www.unitar.org/mdp/cdt or contact us at: diplomacy@unitar.org. If you are interested in this workshop, you may also be interested in our upcoming online course on Mediation Skills for Diplomats from 14 March to 8 April.