The Bhutan National Legal Institute (BNLI) recently introduced in Thimphu schools, peer mediation as a means of resolving conflicts peacefully among students. The institute is now familiarizing law club students from Bumthang, Zhemgang, Monggar and Trongsa with peer mediation.
The President of the Bhutan National Legal Institute, Her Royal Highness, Princess, Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, graced the opening of the two-day workshop at the Jakar Higher Secondary School, yesterday.
The Bhutan National Legal Institute under the guidance Her Royal Highness, Princess Sonam Dechen Wangchuck established law clubs in 24 schools as a pilot project in 2012. The law clubs in the schools encourage law as a career option among youth, and create an understanding of the legal system.
Her Royal Highness, speaking to the students, emphasized the importance, as well as the benefits, of introducing peer mediation in schools.
“Mediation is a means of achieving peaceful coexistence and harmony. It is timely that we now introduce peer mediation as part of our law school club activities in our schools and train our young boys and girls to value and uphold our culture of communal knowing and understanding,” said the Princess.
The BNLI’s Director Drangpon Pema Wangchuk said the initiative was to inculcate likeness for law. “Secondly through this likeness to create appreciation and respect for law and most importantly when our young students grow up they will respect law.”
He also said the initiative is also to enhance and develop communication skills and to resolve any kind of playground disputes.
Along with the workshop on peer mediation, another workshop on enhancing Judges’ ability to work effectively with people was organized simultaneously. Judges from Bumthang, Zhemgang, Monggar and Trongsa attended the workshop. Both workshops ended, today.
