mediation

Formally trained as a mediator, John Paul has participated in and facilitated a wide range of mediation processes. Over time, he found the dominant terminology and associated imagery did not match his experience or many of the practices innovated in settings of violent, protracted conflict. Professional mediation tends to build around formalized processes of impartial and neutral facilitation. Long-term constructive social change in settings of violent conflict requires committed relationships and the nurturing of a social mediative capacity. Often captured in the term ‘accompaniment,’ this approach requires creativity in the evolution of a wider range of roles. The content in this section spans the evolution of John Paul's practice and understanding of mediation, particularly between the late 1980s to the early 2000s, shaped by his early experiences in international high-level mediation and transformative learnings from local mediative processes in Central America.

Conflict Resolution in Cross Cultural Context
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chapter
Conflict Resolution in Cross Cultural Context

A chapter reflecting on the promises and pitfalls of conflict resolution in a cross-cultural setting.

1989
Of Nets, Nails, and Problems: The Folk Language of Conflict Resolution in a Central American Setting
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chapter
Of Nets, Nails, and Problems: The Folk Language of Conflict Resolution in a Central American Setting

A book chapter adaptation of John Paul's doctoral dissertation on indigenous understandings of conflict processes rooted in language and culture.

1991
Of Nets, Nails, and Problemas: A Folk Vision of Conflict in Central America
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thesis
Of Nets, Nails, and Problemas: A Folk Vision of Conflict in Central America

John Paul's Ph.D. thesis for the Department of Sociology at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

1988
The Foundation of Institutionalization: Reflective Practice
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document
The Foundation of Institutionalization: Reflective Practice

A speaking notes for a conference presentation delivered in Nepal on mediation, institutionalization, and reflective practice, drawing on experiences accompanying local community mediation networks.

2008
Caminos y conversaciones de cuatro décadas
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presentation
Caminos y conversaciones de cuatro décadas

Conferencia de John Paul Lederach, con comentarios y reflexiones de Gastón Aín y Francisco Diez, en el marco del III Congreso Americano de Mediación, organizado por Fundación Mediar.

2021
John Paul Lederach Speaks at the Next Gen Peace Conference
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presentation
John Paul Lederach Speaks at the Next Gen Peace Conference

A keynote speech at the 2016 Alliance for Peacebuilding Conference reflecting on accompaniment of peacebuilding and conflict transformation in Nepal across a decade.

2016
Transformación comunitaria y construcción de paz desde la actuación ética de los cuerpos policiales
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presentation
Transformación comunitaria y construcción de paz desde la actuación ética de los cuerpos policiales

A presentation at the III Congreso Iberoamericano de Mediación Policial de Vila-real held in Vila-real, Spain in March 2018.

2018
Transformación de Conflictos, Diálogo y Mediación
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presentation
Transformación de Conflictos, Diálogo y Mediación

A master lecture delivered at the XI Congreso Mundial de Mediación y I Congreso Nacional para la Construcción de la Paz held in Lima, Perú in September 2015.

2015
La mediació com a estratègia de canvi social
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presentation
La mediació com a estratègia de canvi social

A presentation given at the IX Jornada de Prevenció i Mediació Comunitària in Barceolona, Spain.

2014
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