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Who We Are

The only lasting peace is the one built by the disputants themselves. 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’ peace building 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 state of the art peacebuilding processes that are multidisciplinary and collaborative.

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 Canada and Australia.

Regional Representatives are in the following areas:

Mary Montague: European Representative
Shadia Marhaban: South East Asian Representative
Millicent Otieno: East Africa Representative

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.