Mediator Kymbat Tokonova: We often see only ten percent of the conflict, and we need to investigate the remaining ninety percent to solve it

Tokonova Kymbat Zhanykulovna is the Head of the House of Culture in the village of Terek-Sai, Chatkal region, she was trained in mediation skills under the Yntymaktuu Zhashoo (Living in Peace) project. Currently, she is actively working as a mediator and has held a number of informational meetings for school students on effective conflict resolution.

"I was assigned by village administration body to train as a mediator under the Yntymaktuu Zhashoo project. Before that, I didn't have any understanding about mediation. We were trained in the town of Tash-Kumyr and in a short time I learned a lot of useful things from meditation techniques. After training, I remembered that there were situations in my life when I didn't fully understand myself and got into an argument. Now, after participating in the Yntymaktuu Zhashoo project, my character has also changed. Mediation is about managing emotions, understanding other people and understanding their emotions and states," notes Kymbat Tokonova.

Achievements during the implementation of the Yntymaktuu Zhashoo project

Kymbat Tokonova notes that during the informational meetings for various groups of personnel, as well as among school students, a positive response was received from the audience regarding the use of mediation. Very good thoughts were expressed that mediation is a pre-trial opportunity to resolve disputes and will become an effective prevention of conflicts.

"School students, especially the senior classes, reacted with great interest. I was also approached by social educators with a proposal to send several students to train for mediation skills. We discussed with them the possibility of mediation for those students who are being extorted or abused by high school students, due to confidentiality. After these meetings, the students recognize me and shout from afar that a mediator is coming," she shares.   

The mediator was also approached by the Head of the mining company with a request to conduct lectures on mediation for his personnel. Kymbat Tokonova plans that this work will be carried out in each workshop of the company with the participation of all employees.

"I see the positive results of mediation, as there are conflicts between relatives who go to court, are sued in the process, some of them are taken into custody and all contacts, points of contact disappear, relationships collapse. I liked that in mediation, on the contrary, people obtain contact to each other" says the mediator of the village of Terek-Sai - Kymbat Tokonova.

Mediation service centers that have been opened within the framework of the Yntymaktuu Zhashoo project