Building Peace Through Mediation: SHADE-SL Strengthens the Capacity of CSOs and Media Experts

“Mediation is not about deciding who is right or wrong; it is about helping people find common ground and build lasting solutions through dialogue,” Brima John Kargbo, Mediation Expert.

On 24 June 2027, SHADE-SL, with support from the Bread for the World Civil Peace Service (BftW-CPS) Network, convened a one-day mediation training for 25 participants comprising 21 representatives from civil society organizations and four media professionals. Held at the SHADE Hall, the training was facilitated by Brima John Kargbo and Pious Mannah and aimed to strengthen participants’ ability to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts through dialogue and mediation.

Recognizing the vital role that civil society and the media play in promoting peace, the training focused on building practical mediation skills that participants can apply within their organizations and communities. Sessions covered negotiation, the principles of mediation, the phases of the mediation process, the responsibilities of mediators, and practical role-play exercises that allowed participants to practice real-life conflict resolution techniques.

“Civil society organizations and the media are influential actors in peacebuilding. By strengthening their mediation skills, we are investing in stronger communities that can resolve disputes constructively,” Pious Mannah.

Participants learned that successful mediation is voluntary, confidential, and centered on identifying shared interests rather than entrenched positions. Facilitators emphasized the importance of neutrality, active listening, effective communication, and collaborative problem-solving in helping disputing parties reach mutually acceptable solutions.

An interactive question-and-answer session enabled participants to reflect on key lessons and discuss how mediation can be integrated into their day-to-day work. By the end of the training, participants had enhanced their confidence to facilitate dialogue, reduce tensions, and contribute to peaceful coexistence within their respective communities.

At the closing session, one of the participants remarked, “This training has equipped us with practical tools that we can immediately apply in our communities and workplaces. The skills gained will help us promote dialogue instead of confrontation”.

SHADE-SL expects the training to strengthen collaboration between civil society organizations and the media while equipping participants to serve as effective peace ambassadors. The initiative contributes to sustainable peacebuilding by empowering local actors with practical skills that foster social cohesion, cooperation, and non-violent conflict resolution.