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Mediation, climate change and Copenhagen - 23/11/2009

Mediation can be a powerful tool for reaching consensus on complex global policy issues.

In an article for www.mediate.com, http://www.mediate.com/articles/MBBClimate.cfm, Kenneth Cloke, renowned mediator, negotiator, and author, urges that mediation be included as one of the methods for dealing with the inevitable differences arising out of the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen next month.

There is no doubt in my mind that mediation can serve an invaluable role in Copenhagen and beyond. Cloke takes a very broad view of mediation, as I do, seeing it as including facilitation, consensus building, system design, public dialogue and restorative justice practices.  Mediation provides opportunities for the deep and honest dialogue that is so critical for effective and sustainable agreements.

Ken is one of the founders of Mediators Beyond Borders (MBB) http://www.mediatorsbeyondborders.org/, an organisation of volunteer mediators that partner worldwide with national and international groups to develop and strengthen skills in conflict management, facilitation, group and peer mediation, and other collaborative practices.

We wish MBB success in their mission to include mediation as one of the primary provisions for resolving disputes in the upcoming Copenhagen treaties.

Author : Katherine Stoessel
Website : www.framework.org.uk

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