Some thirty academics and professionals from the field of Education and research have participated in a workshop of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) of the University of Navarra on school and family mediation. The activity was organized by the project 'InMedio' of the group 'Vínculos, creatividad y cultura' and was part of the challenge ICS 22-23 'Jóvenes, relaciones y bienestar psicológico'. It counted with the sponsorship of the Center for Transfer and research of the International University of La Rioja (UNIR-CITEI).

Inés Olza, principal investigator of 'InMedio', emphasized the need to maintain links in all areas of society in order to maintain social cohesion. "This is threatened on numerous occasions by conflicts. Within our group we analyze how mediation and restorative practices help to regenerate and consolidate those links that are at risk," he said. Regarding the topic of the workshop, she stated that school and family mediation can contribute to a greater wellbeing of children, adolescents and young people.

Sara Ibarrola, researcher at the School of Education and Psychology of the University of Navarra, mentioned the main advantages of this tool for the school: "It makes students protagonists, transforms complaints into positive actions and, at final, allows to reduce the escalation of conflicts in schools and to provide channels for participation".

From agreement with Professor Ibarrola, thanks to it, mediation participants perceive changes on the emotional, cognitive and sociomoral levels. "They become aware of negative emotions and learn to better express how a status affects them and others," she said.

"They are able to analyze situations more objectively, without being carried away by their opinion staff". And, finally, "they learn to ask for financial aid in time, acquire a sense of justice, increase their confidence Degree and increase participation and social support," he concluded.

Students and coexistence

Leonor Pérez Casajús, Secondary School teacher and trainer of department of Education of the Government of Navarra, referred to an example of good practices in educational centers: network of student body teaching assistant in coexistence. "It does not only consist of carrying out formal mediations, but also spontaneous ones", she indicated.

He explained that at each group or class two people are chosen to receive training from adult specialists. "On the one hand," he said, "we teach them techniques to establish a more serene, less impetuous communication, and on the other hand, we prepare them for financial aid among equals.

The expert stressed that these volunteers undertake actions "of great value" in the classroom. "They accompany people who are suffering and also the group of passive spectators," she detailed. She assured that they also provide a great financial aid to adult mediation teams: "They trust us and tell us what we do not see". 

The challenge ICS 2022-2023, in which the workshop is framed, is aligned with the University of Navarra's Strategy 2025 'Health and Wellness'. The goal of this strategic line is to make the University a place where study and work can be combined with a healthy lifestyle, as well as to work together with other centers and organizations to contribute to promote a culture of health in society.