Centre for Good Relations – Civic Mediation

Centre for Good Relations

The Centre for Good Relations (CfGR) is an independent not for profit company based in Scotland working on a range of projects in different parts of the country.

Our core work is ‘civic mediation’: using mediative processes to seek constructive ways through societal challenges, valuing the role of building relationships within a system to bring about effective change, and working to transform conflict to achieve long-term positive outcomes.

We work with people positively on matters of contention, taking them through dialogue processes which unpack issues and tensions. Good relations work creates space for people themselves to work towards positive outcomes.

Vision

A resilient society that values good relations. 

Mission

To empower people to understand conflict and how working through it constructively can lead to a better society. 

Objectives

Civic Diplomacy

To build recognition amongst civic leaders of the value for fostering good relations at all levels.

Fostering good relations involves:

  • Listening to understand
  • Building trust
  • Developing collective accountability
Structures and Mechanisms

To support development of safe and trusted spaces and places to hold difficult conversations.

Assessing if what is already there is fit for purpose, and supporting systemic change that better fits a group’s needs

Capacity Building 

To help people understand conflict better. 

  • Capacity building is a sustainable practice. Our goal is to train and support everyday practitioners from all walks of life (everyone and their Granny!) to navigate conflict and maintain good relations.
  • Finding those people that: value relationships, are curious about the other, have the courage to take risks, and are creative in how they do so.
  • We are a learning organisation. Our capacity building feeds into our shared knowledge and understanding, shaping our Good Relations methodology.
Projects and Cases

To directly work on conflicted situations to help bring about systemic change.
Changing the nature and ethos of relationships, breaking from business as usual, and reincorporating humanity into our understanding and improvement of the systems we live in.

CfGR’s contribution can:

  • Build understanding between groups and communities that are at odds with each other.
  • Help develop agreements/ arrangements between agencies, elected representatives, community members and others.
  • Explore community dynamics resulting from changing demography.
  • Address polarising behaviour in particular situations.
  • And more…

How we are funded:

CfGR is commissioned by organisations and agencies who ask us to work on particular cases and projects, or provide training, and most of the funds required to deliver and develop our work come to us in this way.

We also seek additional core funding to secure the organisation and its future development. If you would like to support the organisation in any way, please get in touch with our Directors, Abdul Rahim and Sam Tedcastle: abdul@centreforgoodrelations.com, sam@centreforgoodrelations.com.

Discover more about Centre for Good Relations: