Identity Negotiation and Conflict Resolution in Contemporary Multicultural Settings: The Contribution of Intercultural Mediators

Research on intercultural communication is closely related to the phenomenon of intercultural mediation, as a means of identity negotiation and conflict resolution in contemporary multicultural settings. This study focuses on the basic dimensions of the role of mediators, whereas the methodology applied was mainly based on a literature review of secondary sources (laws, official texts and material of international organizations). The data collected, as key codes and from which the thematic axes emerged, concerned, on the one hand, the mediators’ profile and specifically their mindset, skillset and fundamental principles, and on the other hand, the political and legal framing of mediation with an emphasis on laws, professional profile, training standards, accreditation and examples of good practices. Finally, intercultural mediation is recognized as a determining factor in social integration policies and is closely related to common global and fundamental values, such as equity, respect, identity protection, tolerance, active listening and engagement.