Tomorrow’s Mediators: Countering Violence through Peer Mediation

Tomorrow’s Mediators: Countering Violence through Peer Mediation is a youth-focused initiative that aims to promote nonviolence and peaceful conflict resolution among school students and scouting youth in East Jerusalem. The project empowers young people with the knowledge and practical skills needed to act as effective peer mediators, enabling them to address conflicts constructively within their schools, scouting clubs, and communities.

Through a series of basic and advanced training programs, the project strengthens participants’ capacities in dialogue, negotiation, and mediation, using interactive and innovative approaches such as mediation theatre. These methods help young participants better understand conflict dynamics, express themselves safely, and resolve disputes without resorting to violence.

The project adopts a comprehensive community-based approach by engaging teachers, school administrators, and parents alongside students, ensuring a supportive and sustainable environment for peer mediation initiatives. It also integrates a strong gender-equality perspective and addresses conflicts related to power dynamics, exclusion, and marginalization.

By preparing youth to serve as peer mediators and positive role models, the project contributes to fostering a culture of peace, nonviolence, and resilience within schools, scouting clubs, and the wider community. In doing so, it supports long-term social harmony and empowers the next generation to actively participate in building a more peaceful and inclusive society.

Project Description

Tomorrow’s Mediators: Countering Violence through Peer Mediation is a project designed to reduce violence and promote peaceful conflict resolution among school students and scouting youth in East Jerusalem. The project focuses on equipping young people with the skills and tools needed to serve as effective peer mediators within their schools and community settings.

Through a series of basic and advanced training programs, including interactive methods such as mediation theatre, participants develop competencies in dialogue, negotiation, and nonviolent conflict resolution. The project adopts a holistic approach by involving teachers, school administrators, and parents to ensure community-wide engagement and sustainability.

With a strong emphasis on gender equality and the inclusion of marginalized groups, the project seeks to build a culture of nonviolence, resilience, and social harmony. By empowering youth as peer mediators and positive role models, the project contributes to safer school environments and long-term peacebuilding within the wider community.

Project Goals

The overall objective of the project is to promote a culture of nonviolence and peaceful conflict resolution within schools and scouting clubs in East Jerusalem. Specifically, the project aims to:

Strengthen peer mediation skills by equipping students and youth with the knowledge and practical tools needed to act as effective peer mediators.
Promote the sustainability of peer mediation practices by encouraging the use of dialogue, mediation, and negotiation to address conflicts in school and youth settings.
Increase community engagement in mediation activities through the active involvement of teachers, school administrators, parents, and community stakeholders.