You are invited to attend the International Conference on Mediation co-hosted by the Centre for Mediation in Africa, the Global South Unit on Mediation, and swisspeace on 2-4 June 2015.

The conference will focus on understanding and managing mediation complexity. It aims to deepen our understanding of the complexity of mediation and improve the relevance of mediation research. The latter is essential because research on mediation seemingly fails to make a significant impact on the practice of international mediation.

The conference will discuss papers of scholars and practitioners from across the world (see the concept note as well as the draft programme). The keynote speaker will be renowned scholar William I Zartman. Professor Zartman is the Jacob Blaustein Distinguished Professor Emeritus of International Organization and Conflict Resolution and former Director of the Conflict Management and African Studies Programs at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC. The programme allows significant time for participants’ inputs and discussions. One evening slot will be devoted to a facilitated open discussion on making research more useful to practitioners.

Please contact Andries Odendaal ([email protected]) or Heather Thuynsma ([email protected]) to confirm your participation.