Building a Community of Practice to Strengthen Capacity for Effective Dispute Resolution

Washington, DC, September 18, 2023 – CAO hosted a weeklong gathering for its network of mediators from September 18th to 22nd in Washington, DC to share best practices and lessons learned for effective company-community dispute resolution.  

Convened ahead of Conflict Resolution Day on October 19th, the Mediators’ Summit provided an opportunity for mediators supporting CAO cases to discuss complex topics related to dispute resolution, including threats and reprisals, livelihoods restoration and trauma. Participants also heard from CAO’s leadership about its strategic priorities, current efforts to implement the CAO Policy, and a recent external evaluation of its assessment and dispute resolution processes.   

Events like the Summit are part of CAO’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity and knowledge of its global community of mediation practitioners.  

Javier Caravedo, a mediator based in Peru with 15 years of experience, shared that the Summit, “… is a moment we can have the space to reflect on the practice, our experiences, and share with colleagues our doubts, failures and successes to improve our role as a mediator.”  

More than 20 mediators from across countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States attended the Summit. 

“My work with CAO has enriched my practice,” said Tat Lim, a mediator based in Singapore, during the meeting. “I like the opportunities to be involved in making peoples’ lives better and to help companies find a solution to what might be a very difficult problem for them to unpack themselves.” 

Shorena Lortkipanidze, a mediator from Georgia who began work with CAO in 2018, also shared her experience with CAO, explaining: “I feel so much support, empowerment and understanding. It is a very open, cooperative, and transparent environment.” 

Learn more about the role of mediators in our dispute resolution process here.