I am in Peru on the next stage of my Churchill Fellowship journey, exploring culturally-responsive approaches to end-of-life care. The first week of my visit included participation in the Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI) Global Peace Summit in Lima, gathering peacebuilders from around the world.
At the MBBI Peace Summit, we explored how effective dialogue can reconcile growth and governance, and facilitate the responsible and fair use of environmental resources.
The conference was in Spanish and English with a particular focus on past/present environmental disputes in Latin America. I particularly valued learning about the perspectives and experiences of indigenous and Andean communities.
I was also fortunate to undertake 2 days of invaluable pre-summit training on ‘Navigating Environmental Disputes with Dignity’ with expert environmental mediators, Elizabeth (Betsy) Fierman, Luis Ore and Pablo Lumerman, and a wonderful group of mediators – for which, my very grateful thanks.
Across the peace summit, I learnt new and creative ways to make mediation more inclusive, and to effectively harness all stakeholders’ knowledge and lived experiences, on the path to reaching consensus about key issues. Techniques discussed included using drawing, roleplay, multi-party consultation processes, stakeholder assessment, joint fact finding and even music, to ensure all voices and knowledge-sets are heard – lessons I’ll carry with me into healthcare and palliative-care mediation.
My expeditions into historic Lima to visit pre-Hispanic burial sites, early colonial buildings, and various museums on Peru’s past/present, have given me new insights into this warm and welcoming country and how its diverse peoples approach both life and the end of life.
I’m so grateful to MBBI for this uplifting and illuminating week. It was wonderful to meet everyone. Muchas gracias!
Deepest thanks also go to the Churchill Fellowship for making my travel and learning possible. Thank you.
Next, I look forward to my upcoming trip to Peru’s Sacred Valley to continue my learning within Andean communities with Sacred Valley Health!
#Peacebuilding #Mediation #MBBI #ChurchillFellowship #EndOfLifeCare #Lima #PeaceableTravels #ChurchillFellow2024 #MedicalMediation
Interested in learning more about my work in health and care mediation? Contact me here.
Everyone at the MBBI Peace Summit
Attendees to the pre-training at the MBBI Peace Summit
