The Quiet Peacemakers of Lebanon: How Insider Mediators Are Mitigating Conflict

Lebanon, long admired for its cultural richness and resilience, continues to face the ripple effects of conflict and displacement—both within and beyond its borders. Amid rising tensions, especially in host communities coping with the pressures of migration and resource scarcity, a powerful yet often unseen force is making a difference: Insider Mediators.

Who Are Insider Mediators?

Insider Mediators are trusted community members with deep, organic ties to those affected by conflict. Their credibility is not institutional but personal—built on shared experiences, cultural understanding, and proximity to the disputes they help address.

Unlike traditional authority figures such as elders or religious leaders, Insider Mediators reflect Lebanon’s diversity. They include women and men, youth, people with disabilities, academics, activists, and religious figures—each operating within their communities to identify tensions, prevent escalation, and foster dialogue.

Their impact is quantifiable: the presence of an Insider Mediator increases the probability of achieving a negotiated agreement from 5% to 19% (Insider Mediators – Guidance Note).

Empowering a Regional Practice

The insider mediation approach is gaining momentum through regional collaboration and innovation. A growing community of practice is facilitating knowledge exchanges, co-developing guidance for inclusive mediation, and amplifying voices through storytelling.

One such effort is the podcast The Insider: Stories of Building Peace, which explores real-life experiences of Insider Mediators and the human dimension of grassroots peacebuilding. Listen on Spotify.

The Impact in Lebanon

In Lebanon, the power of insider mediation lies in lived experience.

Yara Haidar, a Lebanese Insider Mediator, captures this poignantly:

“When you read about a conflict, you just see the facts. But when you live these facts, you feel the entire emotional baggage. That gives you a sensitivity no outsider could have.”

Jamil Saleh, another mediator and founder of Sawab, a fact-checking organization, adds:

“We mediate daily, often without realizing it. Whether it’s in a newsroom or at home, we constantly take steps to prevent escalation.”

Their reflections highlight how insider mediation is not a specialized skill reserved for high-stakes negotiation—it’s a daily practice, grounded in empathy, listening, and trust-building.

Sources:

https://www.undp.org/stories/ground-breaking-approach-conflict-resolution

https://dppa.un.org/en/a-new-agenda-for-peace