A Handbook on Structures for Dialogue and Mediation

SIPU International was commissioned to produce text for a Handbook on Structures for Dialogue and Mediation for Use by Regional, Sub-Regional and Other Inter-governmental Organizations (RIGOs). Practitioners facing situations of conflict have observed that mechanisms for structured dialogue all too often do not exist or are unavailable. Third parties often confront situations without a menu of options for dialogue and mediation and unaware of the implications of choices in this regard. The Handbook was to provide actors with options to structure dialogue and provide guidelines as to when different options and mediation techniques might be most effectively used. The Handbook was to be a tool to draw upon in considering, designing and elaborating ed and tailored dialogue and/or mediation processes as an efficient and effective instrument for preventive diplomacy.