Debriefing Mediators to Learn from Their Experiences by Simon J. A. Mason and Matthias Siegfried - HTML preview

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Appendices

 

Appendix 1

 

Mediation Lessons Template of the Swiss FDFA

 

Source: Mediation Support Project (Center for Security Studies-ETH Zurich/swisspeace) and the Swiss FDFA

 

This template is useful in creating a broad overview of how mediation was used in a specific phase of a peace process. The Swiss FDFA uses this template to summarize all cases in which its mediators and experts were involved. Each summary is limited to four pages. In a peace process in which more than one engagement took place, a four-page summary is prepared for each engagement. Overall lessons for peace mediations are drawn up by comparing the various summaries. Some cases are also analyzed in more depth. Mediators are usually debriefed upon the completion of a process or at key turning points during the process. If the latter is the case, the four-page summary is updated later, when the mediator reaches another turning point or exits the process. The debriefing activity is an open-ended process, whereby new mediation engagements are continuously analyzed.

 

Name and Reference of the Case: X Details of the Swiss Actor/Mediator: X

Duration of Engagement: X

 

Other Parties: X

 

Follow-up: X

 

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Key lessons learned:

  • X

 

  • X

 

Background of the conflict:

 

(Conflict history, actors, issues, context)

 

  • How did the conflict develop historically?

 

  • Who are key actors involved in the conflict?

 

  • What are the issues of the conflict?

 

  • What are context factors affecting the conflict (e.g., geopolitical factors, interests of regional or global powers)?

 

Entry points that led to the engagement:

 

(Contacts, form of request, motivation, who has the lead, who were partners, length of engagement, aim/mandate, decision-making process)

 

  • What kind of contacts, networks led to the request?

 

  • How was the organization sending the mediator asked for help?

 

  • What was the organization's motivation for getting involved, what was the personal motivation of the mediator?

 

  • Who was the lead, chief mediator in the peace process?

 

  • Who were