Mediators Without Borders
By Lynn ColeThe Caucus, Florida Academy of Professional Mediators, Vol. 18, March 2007
When listening to news about the latest disasters from wars and terrorist attacks around the globe, I sometimes fantasize what would happen if, instead of dropping bombs on civilian populations, mediators by the tens of thousands were parachuted into war zones to create conversations across battle lines; if, instead of shooting bullets, mediators organized public dialogues and shot questions at both sides; and if, instead of mourning the loss of children's lives by visiting equal or greater losses on the children belonging to the other side, mediators became mutual mourners, turning every lost life into the name of a school, hospital, library, road, or olive grove that would be open and dedicated to those who died because we lacked the skills to get along.
These are the words of Ken Cloke, well known as pioneer dedicated to the resolution of global conflicts, in an article he wrote last year. His ideas and concepts, and the hope they inspire, have now taken shape in a new global conflict resolution organization, Mediators Without Borders. Formed in 2006 by a small group of leaders in the field of conflict resolution, this not-for-profit enterprise epitomizes concern about the widespread application of military solutions to political conflicts and is developing alternatives of using proven conflict resolution techniques to resolve international and cross-cultural conflicts. Under the leadership of another pioneer in the conflict resolution field, Bob Creo, the group has formed a board of distinguished members identified on its newly created website at mediatorswithoutborders.org.
The Mission Statement of Mediators Without Borders currently reads as follows:
Mediators Without Borders brings together experienced mediators to collaborate and participate in mitigating violent and potentially violent conflicts and organizing alternative approaches to expressing, negotiating, and resolving conflicts that arise from political, economic, social, ethnic, and religious differences.
By fostering collaborative initiatives in partnership with indigenous efforts, Mediators Without Borders assists in building and sustaining local capacity to prevent and resolve conflicts. In conflicts resulting from war and genocide it will do this work to encourage forgiveness and reconciliation and integrate peace and justice for the benefit of present and future generations.
Visit the website to learn more about how you can contribute and to review how the organizational structure and purpose of Mediators without Borders is currently developing. Our mantra is to be open to your questions and, we invite you to give us your thoughts, suggestions and comments. Mediators without Borders was born to help and encourage others to help in this troubled world. As Ken Cloke aptly advises: "Don't give up. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."
Lynn Cole is a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Academy of Mediators and also is a member of the Board of Directors of Mediators without Borders.