Genuine negotiation in dispute settlement calls for a “culture of encounter” that places at the center of all political, social and economic activity the human person, who enjoys the highest dignity, and respect for the common good. Genuine peace mediation needs trustworthy mediators and must include all parties for a good that is mutually beneficial to all the parties involved, said His Grace Archbishop Bernadito Auza, the Holy See’s Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York.
As reported by Vatican news, “The more demanding the path that leads to peace and understanding, the greater must be our efforts to acknowledge one another, to heal wounds, to build bridges, to strengthen relationships and support one another,” His Grace Archbishop Auza quoted His Holiness Pope Francis, and stressed that the culture of encounter, involving mutual respect and understanding, must be at the heart of not only settling disputes but also in daily life.
Another fundamental lesson one can draw from the Catholic Church’s mediation efforts is that all parties, not just the leadership, must be involved, including those who have suffered. Mediation, he said, involves listening and being close to the victims of injustices and violence of the conflict.
