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Interview with Jean Pierre Bonafe - Schmitt

Jean Pierre Bonafe - Schmitt of the University of Lyon Institue of Human Sciences (Institut des sciences de l'Homme) is one of the pioneers of new techniques in mediation to help solve everyday problems that, left unchecked, could lead to violence and conflict.

Interview (08.11.2004)

Question: What is mediation?

Jean Pierre Bonafe – Schmitt: Mediation is a new technique which helps people to communicate and avoid conflict. The mediator is independent - not a police officer or a social worker, but someone whose job is to bring two people or groups together to find their own common ground.

Question: How can mediation work in practics?

Jean Pierre Bonafe – Schmitt: Mediation helps to stop the spiral of violence (l'escalade) by getting two opposing sides to talk to each other and accept new ways forward. For example, we came across a problem in one estate where neighbours where complaining about the noise of the children playing with marbles ( billes)on the floor above and making a lot of noise. This could have ended in violent arguments: as it was, the mediator was able to find a builder who could put in extra sound proofing for a small cost, which solved the problem. Another time, the neighbours of a concert pianist were being disturbed by his practicing. The mediator was able to work out a timetable so that the pianist only played when he was less likely to disturb his neighbours, and everyone was happy.

We have introduced mediation to schools as well. We believe that problem solving and communication is as essential a skill to learn as reading and writing. We have trained 25 children and young people of different ages in a number of schools, and taught them to resolve problems without the intervention of teachers or authority. Each age group has their own mediator - a 10 year old for the 10 year olds and a 14 year old for the 14 year olds for example. After 3 years we are having good results, although teachers are sometimes difficult to persuade of its usefulness.

Question: How are the projects set up?

Jean Pierre Bonafe – Schmitt: The pioneer projects in Lyon and the surroundings have involved 13 different areas, where we have set up what we call a "contrat local de securite". The projects are funded by central and local government and they involve all the different sectors - such as police officers, the mayors' offices, and social assistants.

The mediators are from the local community. We get volunteers by raising awareness - with pieces in the local media for example. The volunteers then recieve specialised training on how to manage conflicts: 30 hours over four weekends, and then a total of 60 hours when they follow a sort of apprenticeship to a trained mediator, along with training. After six months and 90 hours of training they are ready to go it alone.