CSS Mediation Resources

“CSS Mediation Resources” is a series that aims to provide methodological guidance and insights to mediators, negotiators and peace practitioners working to address violent political conflicts. It is produced by the Mediation Support Team of the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich, with contributions from occasional guest authors.

View all series.

Gender in Mediation: An Exercise Handbook for Trainers
	Title: Gender in Mediation: An Exercise Handbook for Trainers Authors: Simon Mason, Anna Hess, Rachel Gasser, Julia Palmiano Federer Editors: Simon Mason Year: 2015 Publisher: Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
This handbook contains 47 practical exercises to help negotiation and mediation trainers make their trainings more gender-sensitive.

Approaching Religion in Conflict Transformation
	Title: Approaching Religion in Conflict Transformation Authors: Owen Frazer, Richard Friedli Editors: Simon Mason Year: 2015 Publisher: Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
This paper aims to support policy and practice by providing a conceptual framework to strengthen analysis of the role that religion plays in conflict.

Inside the Box: Using Integrative Simulations to Teach Conflict, Negotiations and Mediation
	Title: Inside the Box: Using Integrative Simulations to Teach Conflict, Negotiations and Mediation Authors: Natasha Gill Editors: Simon Mason Year: 2015 Publisher: Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
This book offers Integrative Simulations (IN-simulations) as one model of learning that involves multi-session scenarios based on existing conflicts, reflecting the perspectives of authentic parties.

Mediating Water Use Conflicts in Peace Processes
	Title: Mediating Water Use Conflicts in Peace Processes Authors: Simon Mason and Dorothea Blank Year: 2013 Publisher: Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich Note: This publication is also available in Bahasa Indonesia
The aim of this document is to help mediators working on peace processes address water issues. We argue that the mediation of water conflicts differs somewhat from the mediation of other conflicts, and peace mediators should be aware of this if they are to deal adequately with water-related issues in complex political peace processes.

Swiss Civilian Peace Promotion
	Title: Swiss Civilian Peace Promotion: Assessing Policy and Practice Author: Thomas Greminger Editors: Simon Mason, Anna Hess Sargsyan Year: 2011 Publisher: Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
This article by Swiss Ambassador Thomas Greminger provides a comprehensive assessment of Swiss civilian peace promotion efforts from 2006 to 2011.

Mapping Mediators
	Title: Mapping Mediators: A Comparison of Third Parties and Implications for Switzerland Authors: Simon Mason, Damiano Sguaitamatti Year: 2011 Publisher: Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
The aim of this study is to examine various types of mediators (UN, inter-governmental organizations, states, NGOs, individuals) in relation to the needs of complex contemporary peace processes.

Mediating Tensions over Islam in Denmark, Holland, and Switzerland
	Title: Mediating Tensions over Islam in Denmark, Holland, and Switzerland Authors: Simon J A Mason, Abbas Aroua, Annika Åberg Year: 2010 Publisher: Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Cordoba Foundation

To Be a Negotiator
	Title: To Be a Negotiator: Strategies and Tactics Authors: Lazaro Sumbeiywo Year: 2009 Publisher: Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich and swisspeace Note: This publication is also available in Bahasa Indonesia
This short article is based on lectures with Lt. General Lazaro Sumbeiywo, former chief of staff of the Kenyan armed forces. It addresses armed non-state actors preparing for peace negotiations.

Unpacking the Mystery of Mediation
	Title: Unpacking the Mystery of Mediation in African Peace Processes Authors: Annika Åberg, Sabina Laederach, David Lanz, Jonathan Litscher, Simon J A Mason, Damiano Sguaitamatti Year: 2008 Publisher: Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich and swisspeace
The study analyzes eleven cases of mediation work in diverse conflict situations, with various parties and mediators, offering insights into the nuts and bolts of mediation in African peace processes.