This article introduces some relevant aspects of the current debate about the effectiveness of mediation at an international level. It examines some of the variables that may affect the process of mediation and its effectiveness. As a brief outline, the paper shows the reciprocal relationship between the context of mediation and the cultural context, and their influence on the mediation outcomes. Particular importance is given to the fact of culture as a determinant factor in the mediation process and results, according to major Conflict Resolution bibliography. There is no purpose to point out to specific cases, but to illustrate the theoretical framework of this issue. 1 Law Degree, University of La Sabana; postgraduate course in Constitutional Law, University of Salamanca; LLM (Master of Laws) University of Queensland (Australia); professor of Legal Theory and International Law at University of La Sabana (Bogota – Colombia). 320 MARIA CARMELINA LONDONO LAZARO