ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the unique nature of international multiparty mediation by highlighting a number of essential aspects: who gets involved as a mediator and why, the benefits and liabilities of a process conducted by multiple third parties, and the challenges of achieving cooperative and coordinated efforts by those third parties. Escalating conflicts around the globe that are not prioritized by state actors are often delegated to intergovernmental organizations that have a very unique role at the international level. The least conspicuous international actors able to act as mediators are nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). In order to generate expected benefits and minimize potential liabilities, collective efforts must foster adequate cooperation among the mediators and subsequent coordination of their activities in the mediation process. The chapter concludes by recommending a set of skills and competencies that would help professional mediators to conduct multiparty mediation efforts in an efficient and timely manner.