The European VITEM project aims to consolidate and promote the concept of the “Mediation City” through the creation of a "European City and Territory Mediation Network".

Social mediation acts to prevent or resolve tensions and conflicts, as well as to repair and preserve social links, intervening in several areas of community life. It works closely with all institutions, associations, municipal and social services, the police, the justice system, health and school authorities. It is based on respect for the rights of all citizens and their assumption of responsibility for living together in peace. It helps to deepen democracy, which is greatly threatened by the rise of authoritarianism and communitarianism, and promotes the creation of a new European right: access to mediation for all.

This day-to-day practice needs to be organised and designed around a concept that can give meaning to the activities of all the actors involved, so that it can be identified, recognised and disseminated. The creation of this network will be based on the practice of ‘City mediation’ in different contexts (urban metropolises, towns in their vicinity, medium-sized towns, rural areas, informal and precarious housing).

Objectives

• Develop a sustainable network of local authorities committed to the "Mediation City" approach;
• Promote social mediation as a concrete tool for cohesion and European citizenship;
• Enhance the visibility of the actions undertaken and the results achieved;
• Foster the involvement of local, institutional, and voluntary sector actors;
• Encourage the participation of residents and integrate their voices at the heart of the project.

Research Team

• Elisabete Pinto da Costa - CeiED
• Barbara Molnar - CeiED

Partners

• AFPAD - Association pour la Formation, la Prévention et l'Accès au Droit, France (Coordination)
• Association CreE.A, France 
• Asociación Barró, Spain
• D2 Dynamique et Developpement, France 
• Egregoros ASBL, Belgium
  
  

Associated ReLeCo

• Social and Educational Mediation