We have been hearing the famous Agenda 2030, trying to know the details of it and, above all, obtain commitments for its compliance from the different states, countries, institutions, groups and professions.
But I don't know if we mediators have stopped to think about what our commitment to the Sustainable Development Agenda may be in the coming years, which is why I think it is necessary to stop, reflect, analyze and why not, make decisions and commitments.
In September 2015, heads of State and Government met at the historic Sustainable Development Summit in which they approved the 2030 Agenda. An Agenda that, as its name indicates, marks a navigation chart in the coming years according to different objectives. This Agenda contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of universal application that, since January 1, 2016, govern the efforts of countries to achieve a sustainable world on the horizon of the year 2030. We have already consumed 5 and we have 10 left .
Sustainable Development Goals
Among the objectives, we find the most important for us, mediators, when we refer to the number 16: Peace, justice and solid institutions. With this, we can promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.
To this end, the United Nations website itself reflects on conflicts, insecurity, weak institutions and limited access to justice as the keys that continue to represent a serious threat for sustainable development and, therefore, what we need to alleviate in the Agenda. What's more, in this time that we are experiencing a Pandemic, on the other hand, impossible to foresee when the commitment was signed, it makes the protection of human rights and above all quality justice, can provide reliable answers in the coming years.
Build more effective solutions to problems It is our mission, it is the mission of the mediators and mediation, which already in the explanatory memorandum of Law 5/2012 in Spain “criticized” it as quality justice, hence the need to bet by mediation.
Experts say that, if we protect human rights, we can put people at the center of the debate. That's why when I am often asked in different media, What will we learn after the pandemic? I always say that we will achieve a return to human values and, among them, justice and reason in the face of conflicts and that important reflection that is pure mediation: ensure that the midwives are the true protagonists of your solution.
I would also like to let you know the Specific objectives that are marked by this high Organization:
16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and corresponding mortality rates worldwide.
16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children.
16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
16.4 By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and fight all forms of organized crime.
16.5 Considerably reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
16.6 Create effective and transparent accountable institutions at all levels.
16.7 Ensure the adoption at all levels of inclusive, participatory and representative decisions that respond to needs.
16.8 Expand and strengthen the participation of developing countries in global governance institutions.
16.9 By 2030, provide access to a legal identity for all, including through birth registration.
16.10 Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national laws and international agreements.
16.a Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity at all levels, particularly in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.
16.b Promote and apply non-discriminatory laws and policies in favor of sustainable development.
In short, concern about violence, corruption and participation, which is why it is important to ask ourselves the following:
What can mediation and mediators contribute in this context?
Mediation, we know that it can perfectly be the method to alleviate and protect these concerns. It is true that the objectives set are very general and, above all, marked by something that we mediators generally avoid: violence. But it is also true that, as a collaborative method and process, mediation can manage personal, institutional, international conflicts... being a fundamental tool in the development of the culture of peace. And in the same way, the mediators will be the vehicles to generate peaceful communication and dialogue between the parties in conflict and achieve the objectives set in the medium term, which is nothing more than bet on social justice and the much-mentioned peace.
To achieve this, I encourage you to focus on prevention in conflict management and thereby manage to “educate” the parties, learning a method that will surely help them in the future when they find themselves in a new conflict situation. That's why I dare to bet on the educative role of mediators, facilitating dialogue every time we intervene, respect for each position and values, even if they are not shared, and achieving the long-awaited “construction of peace.”
With all dear mediator, we will transform our world, even if it is in small doses, case by case, person by person, conflict by conflict, educating in peace, justice and creating solid institutions.
This post has been prepared by Mr. Javier Alés Sioli, director of the International Forum of Professional Mediators.
Very good
For me, if the family is strengthened and supported, human relationships are on the right track.