An analysis of reconciliatory mediation in Northern Albania: the role of customary mediators

This research investigated the old practice of customary mediation in the Northern Albanian society. The data used in this research was mainly generated through interviews with community mediators. The strategies and techniques used by the mediators in twenty-seven cases of killings (due to blood feud, momentary and previous fight or accidents) were analyzed. The strategies were analyzed on the basis of Bercovitch and Huston classification: communication-facilitation, rocedural-formulation and directive-manipulation strategies. The techniques were analyzed based on Callister and Wall's table of mediator's techniques in community mediation. Further more the reconciliatory process was also analyzed through Lederach's framework of the elements of reconciliation: truth, mercy, justice and peace. Examining the twenty-seven cases of mediation in the Albanian context we can conclude that most of the killings happened due to momentary fights and mostly they were people who had relations with each other. In analyzing the strategies of the mediators it is searched whether they use more communication-facilitation, procedural-formulation or manipulation. The findings showed that in most case the mediators used either communication-facilitation or directive-manipulation. The techniques used in these cases reflect the features of Albanian mediation but they also give us insight on other techniques the mediators use in community mediation in penal case. These techniques are bounded by the cultural background and the rules of the Customary Law. Albanian traditional mediation bares the characteristics of VOM and the traditional mediators abide by the Restorative Justice principles. Albanian mediation shows to bare the characteristics of the cultural context in which it takes place. The values found in the Albanian customary law, Kanun, in a way guide the mediation process as well. The findings also suggested that some of the elements of reconciliation are understood differently in the Albanian culture

Assessment study of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Myanmar

The goal of the labour market TVET system is to prepare workers to easily enter the labour market. In order to assure quality in TVET and a demand-driven TVET system, it is necessary to involve the private sector in each of the components of TVET. TVET institutions must realize their role as a service provider for the economy in general, and for flourishing businesses in the country. The analysis presented in this study has confirmed that, presently, Myanmar’s TVET system is dominated by supply‐driven TVET for both public and private providers. The consultation system with entrepreneurs, business associations, and chambers of commerce that would enable the system to be more demand-driven is not yet in place. At this stage, there is no evidence of public or private-enterprise involvement in the development of curricula. The consequence has been that TVET is highly supply-driven and the training subjects are defined with little or no consultation on the needs of the labour market. The study has suggested that there are ways to change the policy from supply-driven to demand-driven, through: (i) understanding the needs of the private sector (businesses and entrepreneurs); and (ii) involving the private sector in designing the curricula so that there is more balance between theory and practice, and the curricula content and learning outcomes are closer to the needs of the labour market, i.e. competency-based

An analysis of reconciliatory mediation in Northern Albania: the role of customary mediators

Blood feuds are still festering wounds in northern Albanian society. This study will describe the process and the mechanisms utilised by traditional mediators in resolving blood feuds in northern Albania. It will describe the practice of mediation in northern Albania, and will discuss the reasons why people resort to traditional mediators in blood feuds, what their roles are in the process of mediation, forgiveness and achieving peace and what norms or values are used to influence the parties to make peace