The Role of Norms in International Peace Mediation

Abstract

In today’s mediation processes, mediators are mandated to uphold a growing number of norms. While there have been various studies on norm diffusion in international relations theory including peacebuilding, the diffusion of norms in mediation, especially the possible agency of mediators in promoting norms has been less examined. Current insights on norm diffusion in mediation are generally treated prescriptively or only as part of the policy literature. By using concepts from the mediation literature and from critical approaches to study norm diffusion in mediation this panel seeks to contribute to analysing the trend of increased normative demands addressed at mediators and to provide insights into the mediators’ ability to promote norms. It aims to examine and further elaborate on the questions pertaining to norm diffusion in mediation processes and welcomes paper proposals on the following questions and topics: How does norm diffusion take place in international peace mediation? What are the factors facilitating or hindering norm diffusion in mediation processes? Are mediators norm entrepreneurs? What kind of norms are being diffused in mediation processes and how?

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