Conducting Intercultural Mediation

On April 24, 2026, the Peace Institute, the Gmajna Cultural Association, the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia, and the City of Ljubljana—in cooperation with the Slovenian Red Cross—conducted a free informational training session on the implementation of intercultural mediation. Intercultural mediation is a form of professional support that facilitates communication and understanding between individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and various institutions. Mediators assist in overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings, and contributing to more equitable access to services—particularly in the fields of healthcare, social welfare, and local integration.

The training was structured into five thematic modules: the National Vocational Qualification (NPK) for Intercultural Mediators; the work of an intercultural mediator; intercultural mediation in healthcare; working with service users; and a practical exercise in conducting intercultural mediation.

Foundational information on intercultural mediation was provided by: Barbara Velkov, Centre for Vocational Education and Training (CPI); Uršula Lipovec Čebron, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana; Maja Celestina, Ljudska univerza Kranj (Adult Education Centre Kranj); Azra Altintas, intercultural mediator; Furkan Guner, intercultural mediator; Iryna Nesterova, intercultural mediator and interpreter; Samira Dalati, intercultural mediator and interpreter; and Olha Bobylova, intercultural mediator and professional associate at the Slovenian Red Cross.

The training was conducted as part of the project “Strengthening Migrant Voices in Local Integration and Inclusion Processes” (EMV-LII).