Intervención y Mediación Cultural

Intervención y Mediación Cultural

• Mediación: A tool facilitating communication between diverse groups, fostering synergies.
• Mediación (Definición): A process where parties unable to resolve differences seek a neutral third party (mediator) to help find understanding, options, and agreements. It emphasizes active participation in resolving disputes constructively.
• Mediator Role: The mediator doesn't solve problems, but guides the process, facilitating communication and negotiation. They neutralize negative behaviors promoting coexistence, collaboration & communication. A key goal is improving relationships through transformational communication.
• Mediation Magic: Helping people change their perceptions of the problem to see it from a different perspective.
• Mediation Principles: Active participation and self-determination from all parties is paramount. No one can be forced. The mediator ensures a neutral & impartial stance, avoiding favoritism towards any party. Mediator maintains equidistancia.
• Confidentiality: All information shared during the mediation process is confidential, preventing its use in other processes (e.g., arbitration).
• Protagonism: Mediation emphasizes the active participation of the involved parties, who are responsible for contributing opinions, needs, and solutions. Co-protagonism is promoted by encouraging recognition of each other's roles and perspectives. The mediator helps parties recognize their own goals and communicate them effectively, promoting equality and avoiding domination.

Mediación Cultural

• Mediación Cultural (Definición): A process focused on improving relations, promoting communication, and fostering integration among culturally diverse people, aiming to avoid/reduce conflicts arising from cultural differences.
• Key Objectives: Autonomy (freedom of expression), respect, empathy, and development of social skills for healthy communication.
• Intercultural Mediation Focuses on: Fostering autonomy, respect, empathy, development of social skills.

Proceso de la Mediación

• Mediation Stages: Typical mediation follows these stages:
  • Entrada/Encuadre: Mediator explains principles, method, obtains commitment & trust.
  • Cuéntame: Listening & understanding each party's perspective and interests behind their stated positions. Exploring personal, situational, and cultural factors to create a shared understanding.
  • Situarnos: Building "nosotros" from "Yo/Tú"; exploring alternative narratives & empowerment.
  • Arreglar: Exploring options and solutions, considering the relationship dynamics. Focusing on potential relational change outcomes.

Mediación Intercultural

• Multicultural Context: Growing multiculturalism in Spain necessitates handling diverse situations, with individuals simultaneously belonging to various sub-groups influenced by age, gender, social class, and origin.
• Cultural Considerations in Mediation: Mediator's own cultural background can influence objectivity; situational factors (family, economic status), personal factors (attitudes, values, behaviour), and cultural factors (roles, stereotypes, communication styles) are considered.
• Impact of Cultural Factors: Cultural backgrounds can lead to misunderstanding, inequality, prejudice, and conflict. Mediators must be aware of their own cultural biases. Recognizing and learning about these factors promotes intercultural understanding.
• Intercultural Mediation Goal: Building a shared cultural identity. Promoting dialogue, respecting differences, and ensuring equal rights between culturally different groups.
• Intercultural Communication: Essential for mediators and is a key tool to reduce misunderstandings. Facilitating communication involves language support and cultural interpretation, addressing language and non-verbal communication barriers. Addressing stereotypes & biases is vital.
• Mediator's Role in Intercultural Mediation: Promoting understanding, communication between various cultures, addressing potential biases, providing access to resources, fostering social cohesion, and promoting active participation.

Intercultural Mediation and Outcomes

• Mediator Support: Assisting immigrant or minority populations in accessing resources, providing information on social services and rights, helping them navigate the host society. Supporting professionals and institutions to meet the needs of diverse communities.
• Social Cohesion & Participation: Creating opportunities for interaction and intercultural dialogue for social cohesion and participation; working across institutions (networking).