Evaluation of mediation in food justice in Ecuador opportunities, challenges, and effectiveness
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf2025623Keywords:
mediation, food justice, SWOT analysis, conflict resolutionAbstract
This study assessed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of mediation within the context of food justice in Ecuador, aiming to analyze its effectiveness and feasibility. Using SWOT analysis, both normative and practical aspects were explored through interviews with 35 experts, including judges, lawyers, mediators, and officials from mediation centers. The results revealed that mediation has been beneficial in resolving food-related conflicts, particularly when the parties are willing to reach an agreement. However, barriers such as resistance from the parties, lack of resources, and insufficient training for mediators were identified. The review of practical cases demonstrated that mediated processes are faster and achieve higher agreement rates compared to judicial ones. Despite the strengths, significant challenges were highlighted, especially those related to inadequate infrastructure and the need for better regulation of the mandatory nature of mediation. A set of recommendations was proposed, including improving mediator training, promoting mandatory mediation, and leveraging digital technologies to enhance accessibility.
References
1. Ecuador Asamblea Nacional Constituyente. Constitución de la Republica de Ecuador. [Internet]. Gobierno del Ecuador. Registro Oficial 449. 2008, última modificación: 25-ene.-2021. Available from: https://www.superbancos.gob.ec/bancos/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2021/11/constitucion_republica_ecuador4.pdf
2.Ecuador Asamblea Nacional. Código de la Niñez y Adolescencia. Ley N° 2002-100 [Internet]. 2003. Available from: https://www.registrocivil.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2014/01/este-es-06-CÓDIGO-DE-LA-NIÑEZ-Y-ADOLESCENCIA-Leyes-conexas.pdf
3. Yanez-Gaibor LE, Rodríguez-Salcedo E del R. Problemas jurídicos del apremio personal en procesos legales por incumplimiento de obligaciones alimentarias. Sociedad & Tecnología [Internet]. 2024;7(3):360–74. Available from: https://institutojubones.edu.ec/ojs/index.php/societec/article/view/443
4. Mahmutovic A and Alhamoudi A. Understanding the Relationship between the Rule of Law and Sustainable Development. Access to Justice in Eastern Europe. [Internet], 2024;7(1):170-197. Available from: https://doi.org/10.33327/AJEE-18-7.1-a000102
5. Gorozabel, E. M. C. Las medidas cautelares en el procedimiento civil ecuatoriano. RCCS. [Internet], 2019;10, 18. Available from: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=9079947
6. Lytvyn, N., Andrushchenko, H., Zozulya, Y. V, Nikanorova, O. V, & Rusal, L. M. Enforcement of court decisions as a social guarantee of protection of citizens rights and freedoms. Prawo i Więź, [Internet], 2022;1(39):80–102. Available from: https://prawoiwiez.edu.pl/piw/article/view/351
7. Yépez Proaño, L. M., & Lovato Vela, A. G. Análisis comparativo de un juicio de alimentos que se tramita en un juzgado de la familia, mujer, niñez y adolescencia en un trámite realizado en un Centro de Mediación del Consejo de la Judicatura de la ciudad de Sangolquí. [Internet]. Tesis de Grado. Quito, Ecuador. Universidad Central de Ecuador. 2015. Available from: https://www.dspace.uce.edu.ec/entities/publication/4fc98345-909d-467e-a73d-987b45e1483f/full
8. Ecuador Congreso Nacional de Ecuador. Código Orgánico General de Procesos. [Internet]. Registro Oficial Suplemento 506 de 22-may.-2015. Available from: https://derechoecuador.com/uploads/content/2019/02/file_1549389860_1549389884.pdf
9. Nava González W, Breceda Pérez JA. Mecanismos alternativos de resolución de conflictos: un acceso a la justicia consagrado como derecho humano en la Constitución mexicana. Cuest Const Rev Mex Derecho Const [Internet]. 2017;1(37):203. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.22201/iij.24484881e.2017.37.11457
10. Elisavetsky, A., & Marun, M. La tecnología aplicada a la resolución de conflictos. Su comprensión para la eficiencia de las ODR y para su proyección en Latinoamérica. RBADR. [Internet], 2020;3(2),51–60. Available from: https://rbadr.emnuvens.com.br/rbadr/article/view/70
11. Aguirrézabal Grünstein M. Mediación previa obligatoria y acceso a la justicia en el proceso de familia. Rev Chil Derecho Priv [Internet]. 2013;(20):295–308. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/s0718-80722013000100017
12. Boas Mello JA, Jorge Pinto BG, Ribeiro Mello AJ. SWOT analysis and GUT matrix for business management and problem solving: an application in a Brazilian case-study. Cuad Gest [Internet]. 2022;22(1):81–93. Available from: https://ojs.ehu.eus/index.php/CG/article/view/23436
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Marcelo Raúl Dávila Castillo, Jessica Johanna Santander Moreno, Rosa Evelyn Chugá Quemag (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.
