July
12-13, 2007 Mediation Training in Goma
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I
was met by Samuel Kamanzi at the Methodist Centre d'Accueil on July 11,
2007. Samuel was extremely conscientious and concerned for my well being
at all times and I was very much humbled by some of the things he
recounted to me about going to Masisi the week before to teach an AVP
course. He reminds me of the early missionaries of the church who at
great risk to themselves chose to spread the Word. He has boundless
energy, and it is a great fortune of AVP, mediation, and the Friends
community that Samuel is a member.
We crossed the border only a half mile away with little difficulty. UN
troops were coming through and the immigration department on the
Congolese side was on their best behaviour, but having Samuel at my side
made it all very easy for me.
I was surprised to learn that the course was reduced to two days , down
from three, but I know also that few things anywhere go by plan. They
happen for a reason and I do not very often question why. I stayed at the
Palais d'leveque and was picked up in the morning by mototaxi. The ride
across Goma was worth the 18 hours of discomfort in the air.
We had twenty-two students in the class. Most if not all of whom had been
in the basic course given in December by Judy Friesen. The participants
had a good foundation in the process even though they asked for a
revision of the basics. As we went thrugh the process we shared some
ideas. I asked that they divide in groups and develop questions they
wanted me to respond to. We got off to a late start, which was expected
(9:30) and ended early, (2:30). I thought the day would be much longer,
but the heat made people sleepy at times and I would wake them with a
light and lively. I only covered 3 of 7 stages of mediation on day one,
but talked a lot about geography of the table, bring parties into the
room, Agreement to Mediate, invitation to mediation, how to get referrals
to mediate. They were attentive and asked good questions. I incorrectly
assumed that there might be some people asking me political questions
designed to criticize US policies abroad, but there was absolutely none
of this. I did about 1/2 in French and half in English, and Samuel
translated into Kiswahil. The students spoke almost exclusively in
Kiswahili. Learning that this was only their first meeting since the
December training, I wanted to kow what if any cases they had done, what
were the outcomes and was there any follow up on cases. I also suggested
that we discuss on Day 2 where we want to go after this training.
Day 2
On day two I finished the discussion of stages of mediation, responding
again to many intelligent questions that led me to understand that these
ladies and gentlemen were very conscientious about mediation. Next we did
a hypothetical case concerning a renter and property owner, the need to
fix plumbing and to pay back rent. I demonstrated brainstorming in the
group, getting great responses and then we wrote a clear and concise
agreement. I kept playing devil's advocate until we finalized the
agreement and signed it. They we started asking what if's about the
agreement and clarified the need to be very precise.
After that the class each told how many cases they did, the outcomes, and
how long it took. They had done a total of 55 cases, several still
ongoing, a high % of settlement, and many maintaining follow on their
cases. (click here for a sample of
the cases presented)
I also gave them an exercise to work on in groups. Since there were so
many pastors, I asked them to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
mediating members of their own church. Samuel led this discussion when
the came back to the full circle. This was done completely in Kiswahili,
while I worked on filling out certificates of completion. This question
stimulated and animated discussion that went on for over an hour. It
really made them think about mediating with people they knew. Many felt
that now they should weigh the possibilities and maybe invite a pastor
from another church to do the mediation or maybe co-mediate. We talked
about gender balance with the co-mediator.
Where do we go
next?
The next area of discussion was Where do we go next. I learned that they
had already registered and have legal status in Goma as a mediation
association 'Association de Brassage Social Sans Frontieres' 'The
Association of Social Mixing Without Borders'. I suggested that quarterly
meetings might be a good idea, and they were on a quarterly calendar ,
this being July. They were very much in favor. Satureday October 20,
2007, from 9am-12pm at the Ebeneezer Center was set for the next
gathering. At that meeting they will organize some committees and look at
fundraising, exchange stories of cases they have done and have
testomonials of people who have been mediated. Special guests from the
intelligensia will be invited and other matters considered.
In our closing one doctor said that he had been deply moved by this
meeting and hoped that a mediation training center could be established
for the Great Lakes area, based on the type of training so far received.
Many others affirmed this idea and saw mediation as a great need for the
community.
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Itinerary
George's
Route
Archive
Aug 21, 2007
Aug 16, 2007
Aug 14, 2007
Aug 12-13, 2007
Aug 10, 2007
Aug 6-8, 2007
Aug 5, 2007
Aug 1, 2007
July 30, 2007
July 29, 2007
July 23-25, 2007
July 24, 2007
July 22, 2007
July 20, 2007
July 15-17, 2007
July 12-13, 2007
July 13, 2007
July 12, 2007
July 8, 2007
June 30, 2007
June 12, 2007
June 11, 2007
Mediation Classes
and Case Studies
Nairobi
Kakamega/Lubao
Bujumbura, Rwanda
Kigali, Rwanda
Goma, Congo
Photos
1960's Africa
Germany
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