At JOVIS, we are pleased to announce the publication of a new special issue in the European Journal of Social Work, coordinated by researcher Jose Sánchez-García, in collaboration with Ábel Bereményi and Carles Feixa.

The articles collected in this issue explore how contemporary mediation practices have been influenced by the coloniality of knowledge, power, and being. The research highlights the importance of "subjugated knowledge," concepts proposed by Foucault, which have been excluded from academia and the professional practice of mediation. In this sense, the Special Issue argues that conflict resolution should not be restricted to a Eurocentric perspective, but should incorporate traditional knowledge and practices from diverse cultures. In this regard, Jose Sánchez-García notes: "Learning is, therefore, the relevance of applying a decolonial approach to mediation processes, because all societies and cultures, to a greater or lesser extent, have conflict resolution processes rooted in their history."

One of the key lessons emerging from this work is the need to apply a decolonial approach to mediation processes. It emphasizes that all societies have developed their own forms of conflict resolution, and that these must be valued and placed at the center of analysis. As an example, the TRANSGANG project in Algeria identified the practice of "khulh," based on the Arabic turath, which offers an alternative to Western mediation techniques focused on individual interests. On this point, García emphasizes: "If Western forms of mediation are interest-based and present a problem-solving mentality as the only correct stance, non-Western perspectives tend to be collective."

Regarding youth mediation in different contexts, the Special Issue emphasizes that there is no universal model applicable to all situations. It highlights the experience of the GRAFS (Grands Frères et Grandes Soeurs) in Marseille, which represent forms of community mediation rooted in local tradition. The main recommendation is that mediation consider epistemologies and methods that are culturally relevant to the populations involved, rather than imposing hegemonic models alien to their realities. In Sánchez-García's words: "Mediation should more deeply consider the use of epistemologies, concepts, and methods that the local population can relate to their own understanding of mediation."

Finally, the Special Issue addresses how these findings can be applied to future research and professional practice. Jose Sánchez-García advocates for a decolonial mediation that challenges knowledge hierarchies and power matrices, promoting equitable participation of all stakeholders. "The goal is not to include marginalized perspectives, but rather for these to be the basis for minority participation. Decolonizing mediation would recognize the diverse social and cultural identities of participants and the autonomy of all parties involved," he concludes.

With this publication, we contribute to the debate on mediation from a critical and transformative perspective, promoting reflection on the need to decolonize current practices and build more inclusive and contextualized approaches.

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