The third edition of the Mediation and Intercultural Dialogue Course took place in Lisbon between March 17 and 21, bringing together 19 participants from Italy, Denmark, Romania and Iceland. Representatives from five different organizations shared their experiences and good practices in the field of intercultural mediation.
The main goal of the 28-hour course was to promote peer learning and the development of essential skills to the practice of mediation and intercultural dialogue. Through participatory dynamics, debates, role-plays and external visits, the trainees explored topics such as cultural identity, stereotypes, intercultural conflict, empathy and emotional management in mediation processes.
One of the exercises carried out during the course focused on expressing emotions through non-verbal communication. Participants mimicked different moods using only their face, gaze or body posture, as instructed by the facilitator. This dynamic allowed us to reflect on the importance of emotional reading in assistance and mediation, especially when there is a language barrier.
