"A conflict mediator is an architect of peace." This quote from mediator, writer, and pacifist Jean Carlos Dal Bianco, with an extensive and respected career in the field, served as inspiration for participants in the first edition of the International Congress on Mediation in the University Environment at Unicamp, which took place alongside the third edition of the Seminar on Mediation in the University Environment, this Thursday, August 14, at the Unicamp Convention Center.
Maria Augusta Pretti Ramalho, coordinator of the Chamber of Mediation and Collaborative Actions (Camac) at Unicamp, emphasized the importance of the meeting, which brought together representatives from the prosecutor's offices and mediation chambers of São Paulo state universities (Unicamp, USP, and Unesp) and invited guests. "The event is important for bringing mediation in the university environment to the debate, addressing conflict management at universities as a mechanism for social transformation, education, and a culture of peace," she stated. "The meeting strengthens community ties and fosters critical reflection on institutional practices, aiming for a more just and harmonious university environment."
At the opening ceremony, Unicamp's acting rector, Fernando Coelho, emphasized the importance of the debate and emphasized that the University "does not tolerate any type of violence." "Our actions are designed to make this very clear to our community. An event like this brings about fundamental discussions around the human capacity to mediate conflicts. The work that has been carried out at Unicamp for some time is highly recognized within the university. Human beings still have much to work on; in the name of freedom of expression, we have lived with what we might call human barbarity. It's getting worse. People are forgetting that we must respect the rights of others, the right to be different, to live. Obviously, action that works towards mediation is essential at the current time," he stated.
"I believe that, based on the productive discussions that an event like this offers, ideas will generally spread, because we have representatives here who will contribute to the formation of increasingly efficient networks. May the concept of mediation chambers be increasingly present in our daily lives," Coelho added.
Pedro Emerson de Carvalho, deputy coordinator of the Office of the Provost for Outreach, Sports, and Culture (ProEEC), emphasized Camac's achievements. "I follow the Chamber closely, and despite its youth, we've already achieved significant results, bringing many benefits in such a polarized world," he commented. "Despite the many technological advances we've achieved, we still need to improve relationships between people."
Fernanda Lavras Costallat, chief prosecutor of Unicamp's Attorney General's Office, highlighted mediation as an "alternative instrument for resolving tensions." "Unicamp has been doing this work since 2019, which is more common in the private sector, but more complex in the public sector," she stated. Marlise Furlan, representative of Unicamp's Provost's Office for Research (PRP), highlighted the opportunity for learning about the various aspects that a mediation chamber provides. "Through dialogue, we can develop tools to resolve conflicts in a balanced and practical manner."
Cover photo:
