Falling short: Exploring mediation effectiveness

On 22 November 2021, the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) held a half-day colloquium in Stockholm, involving 17 mediation specialists and FBA staff members, who participated in-person and by virtual means. Matt Waldman, an Associate of the Centre for International Studies at Oxford University, was invited to present on issues emerging from his ongoing research on mediation effectiveness.

The presentation was intended to serve as the springboard
for a wider discussion among mediation experts on flaws and weaknesses in
mediation practice, the changing international environment, and how the field
should adapt and improve.

This note, drafted by Matt Waldman, attempts to capture key insights,
observations and ideas from that discussion. The meeting was convened under
the Chatham House rule, and therefore points made are not individually
attributed.