Online Course in Peace and Conflict Work

Course goals, contents and methods

The 15-week online course in peace and conflict work offers a wealth of opportunities to gain and apply knowledge and skills relevant to conflict transformation. It is as much about acquiring relevant knowledge to specific peacebuilding topics as it is about learning applicable methods and skills.

Through self-reflection and the constant exchange with your peers, trainers and external facilitators we work on attitude, communication and behaviour. We provide you with the necessary tools to understand the theoretical and practical foundations of complex conflict dynamics and the possibilities for non-violent transformation within peacebuilding work. This includes clarifying the key concepts of civil conflict transformation as well as providing a deeper understanding of one’s own role and attitude working in this field.

Your professional and personal backgrounds form the starting point for the collective learning experience in a transcultural setting. Observations during the course, both within the virtual learning environment and outside in your life, will also become a resource for joint exploration of the elements of peace and conflict.

Thanks to the online format, which is supported by a clearly structured and intuitive learning platform, you will be able to take part in the course while remaining at work. This supports the close connection between the learning process and the implementation of your new knowledge and perspectives to your personal and professional context. This integration of the learning is additionally fostered by a project, which is planned, developed and conducted in small groups.

The combination of a diverse methodology, expert input, dialogue among participants and hands-on application exercises - all supported by the virtual learning atmosphere - will allow you to gain an in-depth understanding of elicitive conflict transformation.

After successful completion of the course you will receive the “Certificate in Peace and Conflict Work” for deployment on a Civil Peace Service (CPS) project.

Course structure

Module 1: Arriving

We arrive to the course, the virtual environment and to the new group of people with whom we will share the upcoming 15 weeks. We dedicate this time and energy to get familiar with the new tools, methods, concepts, goals and values, and thus set a solid foundation for a healthy learning relationship and a satisfying process.

• Theoretical Foundations: meaning of peace, conflict, violence, transformation and peacebuilding.
• Trust-building: getting to know the group and creating a safe space for learning and sharing

Module 2: Questioning

We begin to explore the basics elements for understanding conflict dynamics and engage in self-reflection to critically question the context of peace and conflict work we move in and our role within those structures.

• Conflict analysis: understanding the relevance and use of conflict analysis, introduction to systems thinking and to systemic conflict analysis.
• Power and Identity: Exploring the concepts of power, identity, intersectionality, post-colonialism and the importance of those within the peacebuilding field

Module 3: Creating

The focus of this module is placed on understanding how we plan, design and evaluate peace and conflict projects, as well as the limitations and challenges around the tools we use. We dedicate some time to delve into the world of creative approaches to peacebuilding and how they support us in addressing those limitations.

• Conflict-sensitive approach to project work: Entry points for interventions based on the results of the conflict analysis, designing peace projects, Do No Harm and its integration into PME.

Module 4: Complexifying

In this module, we deconstruct the complexity of conflict transformation in practice and the role we play in such situations. We question our own legitimacy and mandate and learn to embrace the ambiguity of the complex world we live and work in. We become aware of our own strategies for self-care and self-awareness in order to maintain our wellbeing in the midst of it.

• Conflict Transformation in Practice: Reflecting on one’s own role, motivation, mandate and legitimization as a peace worker. Discussing the complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty connected with peace work, and exploring a specific conflict transformation approach / method, based on the core expertise and ground experience of the trainer: either on Dialogue, on Mediation, or on Creative Approaches.
• Self-care: resources for wellbeing, self-awareness, communication, empathy, active listening, storytelling and (re)framing.

Module 5: Integrating

The last module is dedicated to connecting the dots between the different concepts and ideas. We identify on a personal level the most meaningful learnings for ourselves and find ways to integrate those learnings into our lives. We take the time to say goodbye and find ways to stay connected as the online sessions come to an end.

Learning Tracks

Content: A big part of the learning acquired arrives to the participants in the form of trainer input, reading material, theoretical perspective, discussions and exchange. You do not only receive this information, but we encourage engaging with it in a critical manner and combining it with your own experience in order to derive meaning from it.

Group: Special attention is paid to understanding the group process, reflecting on the dynamics and engaging with the feelings and needs of others. Awareness of oneself and others is an important concept throughout the 15 weeks. The sentence “practice what you preach” applies perfectly. You dedicate time and space to understand the relationships and dynamics in the group as a learning ground for applying the principles of conflict transformation that you analyse from a rational and cognitive perspective in an emotional and embodied manner.

Project: Divided into groups of 4 – 6 people, you develop a small project during the 15 course weeks. As the course progresses and the learnings begin to settle in, you are able to apply your newly acquired knowledge and skills directly to a project of your choice. You conceptualize, design, implement, iterate, present, give and receive feedback and prepare your projects for a complex and dynamic reality!

Requirements for participation

Background and experience

• Completed professional/vocational training
• Minimum of two year’s work experience
• Significant experience’ living or working in a multicultural environment

Commitment

• Willingness to reflect on your own preconceptions and behaviour
• Willingness to engage in groups and learning processes

Language ability

• Fluent written and spoken English
• Ability to follow and actively participate in an online course

Computer and internet

• High-quality stable internet connection (at least 1 Mbit download/upload)
• Computer with functioning camera and microphone
• Updated version of Google Chrome

The deadline for applications is January 16th 2022.