Manual for Training Women’s Mediation Networks on Conflict Prevention and Management in Lebanon

Between 2019 and 2020, UN Women Lebanon, in partnership with the Professional Center for Mediation at the Saint Joseph University, established three women’s mediation networks: two in South Lebanon communities and another in the Palestine refugee camp of Ein El Helweh. This work was part of the project “Fostering Stabilization and Social Cohesion in Lebanon through Women’s Engagement in Conflict Prevention and Management”, which sought to address women’s increased roles in preventing renewed conflict, managing local disputes and tensions in addition to promoting more effective dialogue communities in Lebanon.

This project was carried out in collaboration with the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Near East Refugees (UNRWA) and made possible through the generous support of the Government of Finland and Rebecca Dykes Foundation, to whom we owe tremendous gratitude. UN Women’s work to increase women’s active participation in conflict resolution responds specifically to the priorities set forth in the Lebanon National Action Plan (NAP) on UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, which was endorsed by the Government of Lebanon on 12 September 2019.

This manual features the training methodology for creating networks of local women mediators and excerpts from activities and documents adopted in the programme. It has been developed and enhanced to support local women mediators in their work and initiatives to hone their skills and increase their knowledge and expertise in preparation for carrying out local mediation initiatives.