Intra-university mediation on the road to the sustainable development goals: a systematic review

Abstract

Mediation as a formula for resolving conflicts is becoming increasingly relevant internationally as a mechanism for a peaceful conflict resolution. In Europe, many countries are enacting legal regulations, and European directives promote the use of mediation to resolve disputes between individuals, companies, institutions, etc. Mediation has a wide range of possibilities in terms of fields of action: family, judicial, school, community, etc. One of those becoming increasingly relevant is intra-university mediation, as a mechanism for resolving conflicts between the people/agents involved, among the students themselves and their peers. Moreover, mediation is related to education and the culture of peace, which are critical aspects of a more autonomous and independent society that can solve conflicts. Bearing in mind the possibilities provided by mediation and as a horizon for intra-university mediation, we propose a systematic review that pivots on three axes: a) conflict and mediation as a means to resolve dissent; b) intra-university mediation, experiences, and possibilities; c) intra-university mediation and its relationship with the Sustainable Development Goals. To do so, a systematic review has been carried out in scientific databases using a qualitative methodologyin order to identify the role of mediation in the university environment and the benefits that the university community and society can obtain. Among the main findings is the evidence that educational mediation at the university level is viable and is widely developed internationally.