Map of International Mediation Networks

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Mediator Networks

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African Insider Mediators Platform (AIMP)

Year of creation and initiator

November 2010

Established by a group of African NGOs with support from PeaceNexus Foundation and UNDP.

Mandate and objectives

AIMP was initiated “To establish a support base for African mediators working on conflict systems at multiple levels that enhances internal national mediation capacity and contributes to local ownership of mediation outcomes” (AIMP 2010).

In 2013 a vision and main objective were formulated:

“Vision: A support base for African mediators working on conflict systems at multiple levels that enhances internal national mediation capacity and contributes to local ownership of mediation outcomes; The AIMP will serve as a capacity multiplier that will use innovative forms of learning and experience sharing to strengthen national level mediation capacity in support of a collaborative inclusive partnership approach to mediative processes.

Overall Aim: To collectively strengthen a platform for practitioners working on mediative processes that strengthens internal mediation capacity in Africa through a focus on experience sharing, innovative and experiential forms of learning between mediators, efforts to find complementarities with all stakeholders and the provision of direct support to mediative processes at multiple levels”.

AIMP aims to act as a support base for practicing mediators, by enhancing local, national and regional internal mediation capacity, strengthening local ownership; and increasing solidarity between practitioners and the institutions with which they are connected.

 Its strategic objectives are:

  • Forge and maintain linkages
  • Expand training and learning opportunities
  • Document and disseminate examples of good mediation practice
  • Connect mediation efforts at different levels
  • Local analysis and support to the deployment of Track I mediation teams

Provide a pool of skilled resource people.

Structure

AIMP is a loose formation of practitioners. At the founding meeting in 2010 there were 14 founding members

 There is an AIMP Secretariat, which is supported by the Action Support Centre, which receives support from PeaceNexus and UNDP BCPR.

Membership

Institutional and individual members; “a loose formation of practitioners active in a range of mediation initiatives”

Not
Association of African Women Mediators (AAWM)

Year of creation and initiator

November 2013

The AAWM was established by the South African Department of International Relations and Co-operation with Norwegian support. 

Mandate and objectives

During a course organized by the Diplomatic Academy of the South African Department of International Relations and Co-operation in November 2013, its participants, government officials from 18 African countries, proposed the establishment of an association of African women mediators. More information

In March 2014 a strategic planning discussion took place on the establishment of the Association. More information

Structure

The AAWM is led by a Coordinating Committee.

The AAWM is sponsored by the South African Department of International Relations and Co-operation and receives support from the Norwegian government.

Membership

Individual members; nearly 150 African women, mostly from South Africa

Not
Engage for Equality, Access, Community and Empowerment’ N-Peace Network

Year of creation and initiator

2010

Established by UNDP

Mandate and objectives

  • “Creating awareness of issues relating to women, peace and security;
  • Strengthening the capacity of women in post-conflict settings
  • A platform for engaging in dialogue around women, peace and security at the regional and country level
  • Connecting gender equality and women’s empowerment advocates for inclusive peace and security
  • Provide financial support to civil society organizations working towards inclusive peace and security” More information

Membership

Asia-Pacific multi-national (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and Timor-Leste) individual members; women peace advocates in high-risk Asian-Pacific countries. Institutional and individual members; “a loose formation of practitioners active in a range of mediation initiatives”

Not
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste
FemWise-Africa

Year of creation and initiator

March 2017

Pan-African Network of the Wise (PanWise), the African Union (AU) Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, with the support of the AU commissioner for Peace and Security; UN Women; the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD); officially endorsed by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC)

Mandate and objectives
FemWise-Africa aims to strengthen the role of women in conflict prevention and mediation efforts in the context of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).
The Network provides a platform for strategic advocacy, capacity building and networking aimed at enhancing the implementation of the commitments for women’s inclusion in peace-making in Africa. More information
The initiative was established to ensure that peace processes in Africa are shaped by women’s leadership and participation, targeting the following expected long-term outcomes:

  • Women’s movement in Africa is mobilized and brought together to foster women’s participation and contribution to conflict prevention, mediation and peace stabilization;
  • Conducive environment for women’s leadership and participation in peace processes is created at different levels in Africa;
  • Enhanced capacity of African women engaged in conflict prevention and mediation to ensure their engagement and influence in conflict prevention, mediation and peace stabilization efforts;
  • Enhanced synergy between women leading and active in conflict prevention and mediation efforts at sub-national and community levels and political processes at Tracks 1 and 2;
  • Enriched political solutions at tracks 1 through the Involvement of women’s social options approaches are promoted;
  • Women leadership is systematically mobilized to facilitate quick impact projects and resource mobilization efforts to lead social cohesion activities at the community levels, healing, reconciliation and quick recovery projects. More information

Structure
Located within the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) as a subsidiary mechanism of the Panel of the Wise and PANWISE
1. A Steering Committee of the “FemWise-Africa”. The Steering Committee gives strategic guidance to the Secretariat, provides reflection on activities, reviews and approves membership accreditation applications, consists of the female members of the AU Panel of the Wise and Friends of the Panel, counterparts from RECs, the Peace and Security Department and ten-preselected women mediators, and associate members without voting rights. More information
2. An Assembly consisting of all members of the network
3. A Secretariat based at the AU Commission, in the Peace and Security Department (PSD)

Membership
International, individual members, women, institutions. 80 members +

Not
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe
International Mediator’s Community of Peace

Year of creation and initiator

2014

Established by Communities in Transition with the support of Alliance for Peacebuilding.

Mandate and objectives

The IMCP provides an informal platform for discussion between mediation practitioners, trainers, academics and providers of mediation support services who actively engage in third-party conflict transformation, to strengthen our skills and increase the use of dialogue processes in complex conflict contexts.

The goal of the IMCP is to improve the effectiveness and increase the use of mediation by providing support and guidance to practitioners.

Structure

The IMCP’s activities are led by its members. The following are active working groups:

INACTIVE WORKING GROUPS

Membership

Organizations and individual members, international

Not
Mano River Women’s Peace Network (MARWOPNET)

      1. Year of creation and initiator

      May 2000

      Established by a group of women leaders from West African NGOs, under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and with support from Femmes Afrique Solidarité (FAS).

      Mandate and objectives

      MARWOPNET was established to promote their participation in the search for peace in the Mano River region through advocacy, conflict prevention and resolution, and peacebuilding.

      Structure

      The network has been converted into an NGO with its headquarters in Freetown, Sierra Leone

      Membership

      MARWOPNET is a network of about 30 women’s organizations from Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea. More information

      Not
      Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone
      Mediterranean Women Mediators Network

      Year of creation and initiator

      October 2017

      Promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and implemented by
      Institute of International Affairs (IAI) and the Italian branch of Women in International Security (WIIS
      Italy) More information

      Mandate and objectives
      The initiative for a Mediterranean Women Mediators Network aims at fulfilling the need to increase the
      number of women involved in peacemaking efforts and facilitating the appointment of women
      mediators at local and international level, thus reducing the networking capacity gap in the
      Mediterranean area. (...) The Network strives for a coherent approach in close cooperation with the UN
      and the UNDPA-managed roster of mediation experts. More information

      Structure
      The main partner for this Network is the Italian antenna of WIIS (Women in International Security), More information

      Membership
      The Mediterranean Women Mediators Network will consist, in its initial stage, of approximately 40
      qualified members from Mediterranean countries. More information

      Not
      Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey
      Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers

      Year of creation and initiator

      2013

      Established by Finn Church Aid, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Religions for Peace (RfP) More information

      Mandate and objectives
      Mission:

      • connect religious and traditional actors to national and international peacebuilders, such as the United Nations, UN Member States, regional and sub-regional bodies and Civil Society Organizations

      • strengthen dialogue and cooperation in order to create a positive, inclusive and collaborative peace mediation process which is sustainable for all parties

      • advocate for the inclusive engagement of religious and traditional peacemakers in peace and peacebuilding processes by publishing and promoting policy and action-oriented recommendations at local and international levels

      • develop and support impact oriented collaborative actions, which cut across emergency response initiatives and short and long-term programs and processes

      • provide primary data and baseline studies that inform and support Network members and religious and traditional peacemakers in the designing and implementation of their programmes.

      Objectives:

      • bring together diverse religious and traditional actors to collaborate on research, advocacy and skill and capacity building;

      • collaboration with the United Nations, Members States, regional and sub-regional bodies and Civil Society organizations in peace building processes;

      • active engagement of Network members in peacebuilding actions and activities.

      • improve the effectiveness and sustainability of mediation efforts through strengthening local ownership and supporting the positive role of religious and traditional leaders in mediation. More information

      Structure

      • The Core Group consists of those organizations that were involved in the initial formation of the network, or joined in the initial start. The network is mainly funded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, which also participates in Core Group meetings. Activities are mandated by the Core Group;
      • The Secretariatprepares meetings, ensures communication, coordinates joint activities, and facilitates the development of the support structures providing assistance to religious and traditional peacemakers. Finn Church Aid serves as the Secretariat for a three-year period from 2018 to 2021. More Information
      • The main structure of the Network is the Advisory Group which consists of key member organizations implementing programs that support the peacebuilding efforts of religious and traditional peacemakers. Advisory group members include grassroots religious and traditional peacemaking actors, international NGOs and academic institutes.
      • The advisory group of the Network convenes in annual advisory meetings organized by the Network Secretariat. Annual meetings provide strategic and practical guidance to the Network members and ensure that the Network functions provide added value for the programmes of the partner organizations.

      Organizations also engage in thematic and regional collaboration meetings and consultations and form active working groups to answer current themes and issues.

      Membership
      International, global, religious and traditional leaders and organizations. More information

      All World
      Nordic Women Mediators (NWM)

      Year of creation and initiator

      April 2015

      Endorsed by Nordic governments at the Nordic African Foreign Ministers' meeting in April 2015, and launched in November 2015. More information

      Mission and objectives
      The Nordic Women Mediators (NWM) network members share a commitment to sustaining peace through the inclusive and meaningful participation of women in all phases of peace processes. NWM is an instrument for the involvement of Nordic women in advocacy and operational engagement in support for peace. Promoting women in negotiations, mediation and all phases of peace-making is at the heart of the work of the NWM.
      The Nordic Women Mediators' mission is to enable Nordic women mediators and peacebuilders to advance the inclusion and meaningful participation of women in all phases of peace processes, in order to contribute to achieving and sustaining peace. More information
      The network’s objectives are:

      • to strengthen Nordic women actively involved in international peace-making efforts 
      • to strengthen the participation of women globally in peace processes at all levels. More information

      Structure
      Collaborative forum, building on national women mediators' networks in all five Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
      The NWM meets once a year with some ten women participating from each country. Hosting of meeting rotates between the Nordic countries. The network includes a contact group, a group of operational partners, and an advisory group. More information

      Membership
      International, regional, individual members, women from the five Nordic countries who have professional expertise relevant to conflict mediation, peacebuilding and negotiations. More information
      100 members from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. More information

      Not
      Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden
      Pan-African Network of the Wise (PanWise)

      Year of creation and initiator

      May 2013

      Established by the Assembly of the African Union after the first retreat of the Panel of the Wise in June 2012 indicated the need for a mediation network.

      Mandate and objectives

      Reason for establishment: Need for greater degree of collaboration in conflict prevention between the AU and the RECs.

      Mandate: PanWise has the mandate to work towards conflict prevention, using preventive diplomacy as the modus operandi. This continental network promotes a bottom-up approach to mediation, collaborate on joint activities and expand the agenda of peace and security to governments, civil society, local communities and individuals. More information

      Structure

      Subsidiary body of the Panel of the Wise since July 2017.

      The key institutional drivers of PanWise are the AU Panel of the Wise and similar mechanisms at regional level. More information

      The network hopes to coordinate and harmonise the work of the panel with that of similar structures at the RECs. The retreat emphasised the importance of regular meetings between the different bodies to discuss preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peacebuilding. More information

      The July 2017 29th AU summit endorsed PanWise as a subsidiary body of the PoW. More information

      Membership

      International, regional, African mediators and mediation institutions (continental, national, local level) More information

      Serves as Africa’s network of institutions, mechanisms and actors for preventive action, mediation and conflict transformation. More information

      Not
      The (Spanish-Moroccan) Initiative on Mediation in the Mediterranean (Med/Med Initiative)

      Year of creation and initiator

      September 2012

      Established by Spain and Morocco

      Mandate and objectives

      Set up as a “regionally focused complement” to the Finnish-Turkish led Group of Friends of Mediation.

      • “Support for the UN Secretary General’s efforts to strengthen the role of mediation as a means for conflict resolution, and more specifically, to act as an instrument for the implementation of Resolution 65/283.
      • To complement the actions that Turkey and Finland have taken as co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Mediation, by focusing on a specific region –the Mediterranean– and enhancing mediation at that level.
      • To engage Mediterranean countries in an effort at strengthening institutional national capacities, and the coordination and creation of synergies among different actors, by devising tools and mechanisms that can help manage/solve the different conflicts in the Mediterranean basin.” More information

      The seminars seem to have the aim of “sharing of experience, expertise and lessons learned among participants”.

      The 2015 High-Level Meeting Joint Declaration states that the two countries agreed to promote two initiatives (one being MedMed) “aimed at strengthening bilateral political dialogue, consolidating their economic partnership and further supporting acts of cooperation between regional entities, as well as boosting the cultural and human ties that exist between civil society in the two countries.” It furthermore states: “The two countries expressed satisfaction with the Spanish-Moroccan Initiative on Mediation in the Mediterranean and the positive development thereof as it consolidates the position of the two countries as agents for peace and promoters of stability in the region.”

      Membership

      Regional membership; Mediterranean countries (32 as of the Madrid conference in 2015) and five regional organizations (the EU, the OSCE, the Arab Maghreb Union, the League of Arab States, and the Union for the Mediterranean).

      The 2013 seminar in Rabat saw the participation of think tanks, NGOs, and civil society organizations, with the CERSS and Citpax as focal points.

      Not
      Women Mediators across the Commonwealth (WMC)

      Year of creation and initiator

      July 2018

      Conciliation Resources and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK Government More information

      Mandate and objectives
      WMC is a platform for the peer-to-peer exchange and learning of women mediators from across Commonwealth countries. The aim is to create a sustainable network of women of different ages, ethnicities, faiths, experience levels and (dis)abilities, who are able to respond to and prevent conflict based on their local knowledge and geographic experience, and to facilitate sharing of lessons learned and best practices. More information

      Structure
      Coordinated by Conciliation Resources, WMC is a platform for the peer-to-peer exchange and learning of women mediators from across Commonwealth countries. The network will work through peer-to-peer mentoring, an online platform a series of  workshops, and a WMC biannual meeting.

      Membership
      By mid-2020, the network will include more than 50 women peacebuilders from diverse backgrounds
      and geographic locations who play a role in mediating conflicts. WMC members have mediation
      experience ranging from mediating conflict at the community level, to formally mediating conflicts as
      part of official peace processes. More information

      Not
      Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Zambia

      This map presents existing international mediation and mediators’ networks, outlining their mandates, membership, structures, and objectives. The information presented in this map has been gathered via a mapping exercise carried out in the framework of InclusivePeace International Mediation Networks research project – facilitated by a grant from the Wihuri Foundation.

      The project focuses on networks with a range of geographical and thematic scope, but which include an international (sub-regional, regional, or global) focus either in terms of membership or activity. The mapping did not seek to map networks whose membership or scope have a national or sub-national focus. The mapping exercise currently focuses on networks that include mediators as members, meaning networks that are comprised solely of mediators and networks with a mixture of mediators and mediation support professionals are covered by the scope of the project. Networks that solely provide mediation support are not currently included in the scope of the project.

      The information in the mapping was compiled through a mixture of primary and secondary research, combining direct participation in and observation of the activities and meetings of certain networks; semi-structured interviews with members, founders, and affiliated individuals of various networks; desk research; and a literature review.

      This map will continue to be updated during the second phase of the International Mediation Networks research project, so please don’t hesitate to contact us with feedback.