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Conflict Mediator

Helps resolve disputes between individuals, groups, or nations without going to court.

Did you know?

Finnish mediator Martti Ahtisaari won the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize for helping settle conflicts from Namibia to Aceh in Indonesia to Kosovo.

How subjects help

• Psychology: Calm strong feelings so two sides in a dispute can really listen to each other.
• Law: Explain what might happen in court so both sides see the value of agreeing.
• Communication: Ask questions that help each side say what they really need.
• Political Science: Understand the balance of power between groups when helping them make peace.

A famous name

William Ury: Co-wrote Getting to Yes, a classic guide to settling disputes, and mediates real conflicts.

Try it yourself: Practise listening the SHUSH way

1. Ask your partner to talk for three minutes about something ordinary and happy, like the best day they've had this year.
2. Listen the SHUSH way: Show you care (phone away, look at them), Have patience, Use open questions ("Tell me more"), Say it back to check you understood, and Have courage to let a silence happen.
3. Don't interrupt or offer a solution: just listen.
4. Swap roles. If there is a third person, they watch and say which SHUSH tip they saw each of you use.

Social workers, counsellors and mediators spend much of their day listening carefully like this, so people feel heard before anyone talks about what happens next.

Adapted from Samaritans: DEAL: developing listening skills (SHUSH listening tips).

Also try: Map the helpers near you.

Known for it in

Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, USA, South Africa

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