There is a need for relationship building – Marium Kurtz
The Samiti organised an e-dialogue on ‘Mediation’ with Ms. Marium M Kurtz, Co-Editor of Volume II, “Women War and Violence” on May 12, 2021. This was eight in the series of dialogues that the GSDS has initiated on ‘Mediation’.
Touching on different aspects and techniques of mediation, Ms. Marium asserted on the importance of building relationship and interconnectedness with humane thought for avoiding conflicts and preventing disruption in relationship.
While reflecting on the reconciliation technique of Ubuntu which as adopted in Rwanda after the genocide, Ms. Marium said that “Ubuntu, which means “I am because you are” and “You are because I am” has never failed. She said that Ubuntu is used as a mechanism for conflict prevention and peace-building in everyday practices in Sub-Saharab Africa and how reciprocity and reflexivity help to build communal solidarity with a focus on relationship and human interconnectedness, interdependence, togetherness – Ujamaa – and solidarity that motivates building a culture of peace”.
Expressing her concern over globalisation that has eroded these practices somewhat in recent decades, she said, “Because of their rootedness, they continue to provide a path for restorative justice and have inspired truth and reconciliation commissions in many countries”.
Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer GSDS and Ms. Mansi Sharma, PhD student of Law moderated the interactive session with Ms. Marium.