It has become increasingly clear that citizens want to participate
in any decision-making that affects the life of their community.One way of
increasing participation of civil society is to encourage community mediation.
In other words, to provide the resources necessary for citizens to have access
to spaces where differences that logically arise in the context of coexistence
within the city can be resolved in a democratic and participative manner.
Mediation and conflict resolution in the community is an attempt to introduce
alternative focuses and positive visions into relationships between cultures,groups,neighbourhoods
and generations, and between citizens and the state.Community mediation has
thus become an instrument for prevention and change that encourages a participative
democracy.
The European Conference on Community Mediation, entitled "Towards the
city as mediator",has arisen from a collaboration between Barcelona City
Council and the Centre Pau i Treva of the Fundació Pere Tarrés.
These entities,working with other organisations in France,Belgium and Denmark,are
currently engaged in a European Union Grundtvig programme on this topic. The
conference has been planned as a space for deliberation and exchange to work
towards a model of the city as mediator.We are
therefore at the beginning of an ongoing and in-depth debate within the framework
of the new Norms for Citizen Participation, which will also have special relevance
in Fòrum 2004.
| Joan Clos Mayor of Barcelona |
Pere Alcober Councillor for Citizen Participation and Solidarity |
Maria del Mar Galceran EUTSES director of Ramón Llull University Foundation Pere Tarrés |
what are its aims
To encourage a model for the city based on the culture of
mediation and conflict management,to encourage peaceful,equal and democratic
citizen participation.
To propose a new social dynamic that enables citizen participation and creates
an environment for coexistence based on respect and justice.
To create a common code of action for dealing with reality from our philosophy.
To learn about and exchange experiences of community mediation, in different
countries as participants.
Conference Secretary
Information and registration
Centre Pau i Treva
Fundació Pere Tarrés
Coordinadora: Carla Pallàs
Santaló, 37-08021 Barcelona
Tel +34 93 366 89 04
Fax +34 93 452 12 95
e-mail: mediacio@peretarres.org
