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Our Story

“I sometimes fantasize what would happen if, instead of dropping bombs on civilian populations, mediators by the tens of thousands were parachuted into war zones to create conversations across battle lines; if, instead of shooting bullets, mediators organized public dialogues and shot questions at both sides; it is possible for mediators to have an impact on the willingness, even of embittered, intransigent opponents, to participate in war or terrorism, by organizing alternative ways of expressing, negotiating, and resolving their differences. I call this idea ‘Mediators Without Borders.’ ”

-Ken Cloke, "The Politics of Conflict: Mediating Evil, War, Injustice and Terrorism"

MBBI started at a time when the founders recognized the critical need for conflict resolution skills at all levels of community, keenly aware of the necessary shift from the ‘powerful nations’ model to a ‘people-centered’ peacebuilding model; of the increasing leadership role of regional and sub-regional organizations, along with increasing engagement of civil society actors. All of these transitions underscored the need to prepare people at every level for participation in the state of the art peacebuilding processes that are multidisciplinary and collaborative.

MBBI’s Areas of Functional expertise:

  • Mobilizing Experts/Advisory Support
  • Technical Expertise- Mediation, Negotiation, Dialogue
  • Design and Facilitation of a range of processes
  • Program Implementation and Capacity Building
  • Transition, Governance & Security Dimensions of Peace Processes

Our Mission

Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI)’s mission is to build local skills for peace and promote mediation worldwide. Recognizing that the only lasting peace is the one built by those involved, MBBI advances the objectives of its global partners by delivering and teaching skills for evidence-based context assessment, trauma-informed peacebuilding, post-conflict reconciliation and recovery, cross-sector and network collaboration, project design, implementation, evaluation, and peacebuilding leadership. Since 2007, more than 500 distinguished MBBI professional mediation, conflict transformation, and trauma recovery specialists have been catalyzing the success of local partners working to build a more peace “able” world.

MBBI works to bring mediation and peace skills to organizations and communities around the globe so that they can prevent, resolve, and heal from conflict. Its more than three hundred members and over fifty-five consultants comprise a global network of local practitioners.

MBBI projects are initiated by invitations from local community organizations, are designed in collaboration with community representatives, and are informed by a wide range of expertise in systems, process and training design, mediation and dialogue, restorative practices, trauma, community development and organizational behavior.

Our Focus

We work to enhance mediation and peacebuilding skills to communities around the globe so that they can, in turn, build a more peace “able” world. To this end, MBBI organizes initiatives through three essential mechanisms - capacity building, advocacy for mediation, and consultancy services:

  • We build capacity.  At the invitation of local individuals and organizations, our members build mediation and organizational skills for preventing, resolving and healing from violent conflict. We work in communities that have been traumatized by war, major civil conflict or natural disasters. We help peacebuilders understand how trauma affects people’s lives and perspectives. We respond to requests to develop mediation capacity and processes. We train and coach community members to use dialogue or restorative justice circles to address conflicts.
  • We promote mediation through advocacy.  As an official observer organization for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), we attend UNFCCC climate change talks and conferences, as well as the Conference on the Status of Women (CSW), the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) and other UN and multilaterals’ venues and forums.
  • We provide consultancy services. MBBI mediates disputes directly. Working at the intersection of corporations, communities and organizations, we provide training and coaching in mediation, and for many other conflict transformation techniques, to help individuals and organizations reach agreement, resolve conflicts, solve problems, build trust, and heal relationships.

Background

MBBI is a tax-exempt, 501(c)3, not-for-profit organization registered in the US and has affiliates in Europe and Australia.

AWARDS & Recognitions

  • 2016 recipient of ACR International’s Outstanding Leadership Award, which honors exceptional work promoting conflict resolution in local communities around the globe, particularly in challenging or demanding circumstances.
  • 2020 the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution International Advocate for Peace (IAP) Award, given to an individual or organization exemplary in the field of conflict resolution.
  • 2024 Recipient of the Frank E.A. Sander Innovation in ADR Award from the American Bar Association