Conflict and cooperation

4: Mediation

Required Resources

• Slides 24-25
• Video: UN Mediation
• Student Worksheet 3

Delivery

• Use Slides 24-25 to explain that in global conflict, the UN, EU and NATO often play a mediatory role.
• Play Video: UN Mediation which presents Yasushi Akashi, UN Administrator, talking about the mediation talks that took place to negotiate a ceasefire between the different ethnic groups in Bosnia. The video illustrates the challenges of mediating a common ground between conflicting groups but stresses the urgency and importance of an agreement.
• Students will now complete a mediation exercise which is a role-play scenario that extends from Video 1. Students take on the role of a Bosnian-Serb, Bosnian-Muslim or UN Mediator and imagine they are negotiating a ceasefire. Split the class into mixed ability groups of three and distribute Student Worksheet 3 to set the task.
• The aim of the exercise is to appreciate the difficulty of resolving global conflicts. It also helps to develop the students' communication and assertiveness skills. Acknowledge that the Bosnian War was very complex and that whilst students will be negotiating a ceasefire, the exercise does not require them to know intricate details about the war to inform their arguments. Rather they should aim to appreciate and experience the process of negotiating and mediating two opposing arguments.
• Students should be given two minutes to work in role and then two minutes for feedback within their groups. Students should swap roles until all three have been played.
• Before the students start their role play, as a class you should brainstorm solutions and feelings that might be expressed by both of the ethnic representatives.
• Feedback as a class. Referring back to earlier Episodes, how does mediation compare to the ways that students resolve their own personal conflicts?

Differentiation

Lower Ability:

Mixed ability groups

Higher Ability:

Mixed ability groups