swisspeace conducted a mediation and negotiation training course in Kathmandu in the framework of the Mediation Support Project, a joint venture with the Center for Security Studies (CSS) of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, in collaboration with the Mediation Support Unit (MSU) of the United Nations and Conflict Management International (CMI). A total of 12 staff members of the Political Division of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) and 22 military observers participated in the one-week course from 22-28 February 2010.
A tailor-made, interactive program with theoretical inputs, exercises and role playing was prepared for each group, adapted to their specific needs. In the case of the members of the UNMIN Political Division, the role playing was as UN representatives mediating between the police and IDPs. As for the military observers these were placed in a fictive negotiating situation, in which they had to mediate between demobilized combatants of a rebel group – who had left their camp armed to provide security for a commander – and the local police. The training team also offered a special one-day coaching program for the head of the UNMIN mission, prepared after consultation to meet her specific requirements.
The Political Affairs Officers used the mediation techniques during a role play, where they were mediating between the police and Internally Displaced Persons.
The training team consisted of one person each from swisspeace and the MSU, an expert in security issues relating to peace processes from the MSU expert standby team and an experienced mediator from the UK. The course and the practical role playing proved popular with the participants. What they learned is to some extent already being put to use in their daily work. Many expressed the desire for regular training in negotiation and mediation skills in the future.