Student mediators, teacher mentors, school psychologists and principals from 20 schools across the Republic of Moldova, together with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research and the Republican Centre for Psycho-Pedagogical Assistance, gathered on 10 June for the workshop "School mediation: looking back and moving forward", organised by Terre des hommes Moldova.
The event marked the completion of the first year of piloting the peer-to-peer school mediation programme and provided participants with an opportunity to reflect on the experiences gained, the results achieved and the steps needed to further develop the programme. Participants discussed the role of school mediation in creating a safer educational environment and the conditions needed to strengthen and expand the programme in the years ahead.
School mediation is a conflict resolution method based on dialogue, active listening and responsibility. Through the programme, students are trained to facilitate the safe and confidential resolution of disagreements between their peers before they escalate into more serious conflicts.
The programme was implemented between May 2025 and May 2026 in 20 schools across the country. During this period, 57 teacher mentors and 269 student mediators were trained, and 85 mediation processes were conducted in schools, involving 193 children.
Throughout the workshop, participants reflected on the programme's progress and the changes observed in their schools. Students spoke about their first experiences as mediators, the situations they helped resolve and the skills they developed along the way.
"The programme helped me develop my empathy, respect for others and determination. At the beginning, both teachers and students were sceptical, but by the end we could clearly see its impact in our school," said Bianca, a grade 11 student from Chisinau.
According to Bianca, the atmosphere in classrooms has become more harmonious, students understand each other better and disagreements between classmates are managed more constructively. "A school mediation team is like a shield," she concluded.
The changes observed by students were also confirmed by the teachers involved in the programme.
"The programme had a significant impact, first and foremost, on the student mediators. It strengthened their sense of responsibility, fostered greater mutual respect and helped build their self-confidence. Across the school, we observed an improvement in the overall school climate and a reduction in conflicts between students," said Pelaghia Traci, Principal of "Stefan cel Mare si Sfant" Theoretical High School in Taraclia village, Causeni district.
She believes that school mediation contributes to creating a more child-friendly school environment by helping students manage their emotions, take greater responsibility for their actions and cooperate more effectively with one another.
The future of the programme was another important topic of discussion during the workshop. Participants reviewed the challenges encountered during implementation and identified solutions to strengthen school mediation during the 2026–2027 academic year. Each participating school developed an action plan for the coming period, while one of the key conclusions drawn by the children was the need to ensure the programme's continuity and further development.
The event also featured the presentation of new resources developed to support school mediation, including practical materials for student mediators, teacher mentors and educational institutions. These resources were designed to support the implementation and promotion of mediation in schools and to provide both children and adults with practical tools for conflict management.
The workshop was not only an opportunity to take stock of achievements, but also a space for learning and collaboration between students and adults who believe in the power of dialogue. After one year of piloting, the experiences shared by participants demonstrate that school mediation can help strengthen relationships among students, develop social and emotional skills, and create a safer and more inclusive school environment.
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The School Mediation Programme is implemented by Terre des hommes Moldova through the projects "PACT in Justice: Children and Young People Protected", funded by the Medicor Foundation, and "Increasing Youth Civic Participation through School Mediation", funded through the Local Cooperation Fund Programme of the Embassy of Finland in Bucharest.