Port-au-Prince, 24 June 1996

The OAS\UN International Civilian Mission in Haiti with the support of UNESCO's "Culture of Peace Program" [Vers une culture de la paix] is launching a pilot conflict resolution training project in Haiti aimed at strengthening the role of civil society and local authorities in the prevention and resolution of community conflict.

As part of the project a "Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training Seminar" was held in Gonaives on 22 and 23 June with judicial authorities from throughout the Department of the Artibonite. Representatives from the Tribunaux de Première Instance of Gonaives and St. Marc, the Sections Terriennes of Gonaives and St. Marc and selected Tribunaux de Paix participated. Representatives from l'Ecole de la Magistrature and the Ministry of Justice also attended the seminar as special guests. The purpose of the seminar was to enable judges to upgrade their mediation skills through technical training and practical exercises in mediation.

A second "Introductory Seminar in Conflict Resolution" will be held in Port-au-Prince on 27-29 June with local authorities from several Departments and representatives from Haitian NGOs working in the field of human rights. The objective of the seminar is to introduce participants to conflict analysis and resolution skills training. Special attention will be given to examining the psychological and other factors that influence individual and group behavior in situations of potential or real violence and their impact on communities. Participants will be encouraged to discuss actual conflicts in their respective communities and to develop strategies to reduce violence and resolve conflict.

It is hoped that the mediation and conflict resolution skills imparted during these seminars will provide a small but vital contribution of MICIVIH and UNESCO towards the establishment of a "Culture of peace" through human rights education and protection.

(Ref: CP96 /10)