Mediation of conflicts: experience in the perspective of an university extension activity

Abstract

Alternative means of dispute resolution are sought a long time as an access to justice more humane. Without the imposition of an intervening power, the parties have gain more autonomy in their decisions. The extension project of the Federal University of Paraíba "Citizenship in Extension: Access to Justice and Conflict Mediation", linked to the Reference Center for Human Rights (CRDH) aims to address the theme "Access to Justice", using one of the extrajudicial dispute resolution methods, namely: Mediation. The Mandacaru and Jardim Veneza’s Reference Center for Citizenship in João Pessoa/PB, were the spaces chosen in the first year of the project, where residents discussed their problems in these localities, in order to build possible plans of action. The following year, the Guardian Council has become the chosen space, working directly with the Mediation. Building a sense of unity among residents of a community is one of the goals of this project with respect to collective issues. And mediation, with respect to individual issues. With the prospect of working together, this project follows its activity, achieving its main goals: empowering individuals and fostering active citizenship.