Social conflicts and mediation in Ecuador's public sector: a multidisciplinary approach

Abstract

Over the last four decades, Ecuador has experienced a series of social, economic, and political conflicts that have significantly affected the well-being of its population due to governmental decisions, natural disasters, and structural problems such as unemployment, poverty, and transnational crime. This research analyzes social conflicts in the public sector and the involvement of mediation in the branches of government. The approach applied was descriptive and qualitative to identify trends and emerging conflicts, as well as prospective research to understand the history of conflicts and the evolution of mediation. Finally, statistics on mediation in the public sector were analyzed to assess its effectiveness and scope. The results highlight the need to implement mediation as a state policy to effectively address conflicts and promote social cohesion. Although mediation has been used in the judicial sphere, its application in other branches of government and in society, in general, is limited. However, there is an increase in the use of mediation in the public sector, suggesting a growing recognition of its effectiveness in conflict resolution, promoting a culture of peace and peaceful coexistence.