ADVANCED COURSE ON MEDIATION & CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT
WITH AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ CONTEST
2024 EDITION
4-9 November 2024
The "Advanced Course on Mediation & Children and Armed Conflict" is a key initiative of the broader project, "YouthNet International: Child Mediators for Long-lasting Peace and Security," supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) under the Italian Agenda on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS).
The main goal of the project is to establish a network of youth mediators, aged 15 to 25, called "YouthNet International: Child Mediators for Long-lasting Peace and Security". Participants will be selected through collaboration with universities within the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict (UNETCHAC) and various associated institutions, such as schools in the countries involved in the project.
The YouthNet International network will provide platform for constructive dialogue, knowledge sharing, and discussions on critical themes related to peace and security, while also nurturing the development of participants’ role as mediators. The initiative aims to empower young people to amplify their voices on the international stage. Moreover, a key feature of this network will be the establishment of a specialized group focused on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC). This group will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to address the specific needs and challenges faced by children, particularly girls, affected by armed conflict using a child-sensitive approach to mediation. By integrating this specialized focus, the network seeks to enhance its impact and ensure that the voices and needs of vulnerable children are adequately represented and addressed.
The International Students’ Contest in Mediation
This course will feature an innovative exercise designed to prepare participants for a final contest in mediation and children in armed conflict that will be organised at the end of the course. Through this immersive experience, participants will engage deeply with fictitious scenarios, applying the mediation techniques and legal principles they have learned throughout the course. The contest in mediation will provide a unique platform for participants to put their knowledge and skills into practice, simulating the complexities of conflict resolution with a focus on protecting children’s rights and integrating gender perspectives. This hands-on component aims to refine their competencies, preparing them for impactful roles as mediators in real-world conflict settings.
Students attending in person will have the opportunity to prepare for the final contest under the guidance of course tutors during dedicated morning sessions from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
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