International practices of conflict mediation in the era of digital technologies

Abstract

The digital age has brought about new online mediation practices. At first, these kinds of practices were introduced to business mediation and out-of-court dispute resolution, while such phenomena as Twitter diplomacy emerged in the domain of diplomacy. During the pandemic, online communication has also become the mainstream in the spheres of negotiations and mediation. Despite a number of problems that the online format does not allow to overcome (for example, lack of personal contact), interaction with the use of digital technologies creates new opportunities. The article examines global practices of mediation and describes approaches practiced by non-governmental organizations and professional mediators in the digital era. The authors also discuss the problems of shifting interactions online that these actors have faced during the pandemic.