Transforming civil conflict

TransConflict is pleased to recommend the following online course, entitled “Transforming civil conflict”, organized by Modus Operandi and the Network University.

The aim of the program is to help prepare participants for work in conflict areas, or to make their work more effective by providing greater insight into conflict processes and the roles that different organizations play. The program focuses on developing critical analytical skills with the purpose of asking relevant questions, rather than resorting to immediate solutions and answers to conflict.

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Content

During the course, the participants will be acquainted with contemporary theories of conflict and conflict transformation. Furthermore, they will also familiarise themselves with a wide range of relevant initiatives, plus practical issues and debates within the field. Together with people who have professional interest in this field, they will form a ‘learning community’.

The subjects that will be covered throughout the course are: Understanding Conflict, Conflict Transformation and Building a Desired Alternative. The participants will be coached online and they will take part in online debates, assignments and exercises.

An overview of the course content:

  • 1. Understanding Conflict – during the first week we will present you the basic tools to understand conflict dynamics and discuss key concepts in conflict analysis. Different phases of a conflict and the peacebuilding efforts associated with it will be discussed, as well as the difference between conflict management, resolution and transformation, plus the three types of violence that we can distinguish in armed conflict situations. The assignments include exercises to map conflict issues, actors and dynamics, plus participation in debates.
  • 2. Conflict Transformation – during this week you will be familiarized with entry points to start a process of conflict transformation. We will look at the creative, constructive and non-violent means of social change that can be used to transform the issues, attitudes and structures dividing conflict parties. Six means of social change will be discussed here: vectors for transformation, balancing power relationships, non-violent action, connectors in conflict, changing perceptions, and Lederach’s concept of moral imagination.
  • 3. Building a Desired Alternative – in this third week participants will be provided with helpful information on strategies to overcome structural violence and to build a desired alternative. The assignment will focus on designing an action plan for conflict transformation, based on examples of other organizations in the field.

Throughout the course the participants will have access to a library of conflict transformation tools, map of actors, glossary and  database of conflict transformation resources.

Target group

The key target group for this course are professionals working in conflict areas and students with special interest in the field, such as  (inter)national relief agency workers, development professionals, conflict resolution trainers, military personnel, journalists, students of international relations or other conflict-related topics, academics and others working for governmental or NGO’s in countries and territories that are the scene of violent conflict and civil strife.

Intensive tailored supervision

The course is tailor-made and all participants will receive personal feedback. They will be able to choose the conflict(s) they would like to study. In addition, they can suggest and initiate online debate topics which will often be linked to current affairs and students’ special interests. The course website will remain accessible to participants after the course is finished.

Collaborative learning

The participant will take part in a collaborative learning experience in an online ‘learning community’ of professionals. Every week the participant is required to undertake different assignments. These assignments are not the so-called ‘conventional assignments’: ‘read some articles, write a paper and send it in before Friday’; but aim to stimulate discussion and cooperation between the participants. In addition to individual and group assignments there will be online discussions and exercises.

Timeframe – How much time, ‘A-synchrone’-teaching

The course will take place from the 1st-26th of April 2013. The course is designed for people who want to study and work at the same time. The amount of time needed to complete the assignments and participate will depend on your experience with conflict, level of participation (in discussion groups) and familiarity with the subject. As most of our participants are working, we strive to make it possible for every participant to complete every week’s assignments with 10 hours of reading, debating and studying. The course is taught ‘asynchronous’ – participants do not have to be present at certain hours; work can be spread over the week and in weekends. We will be present at the ‘call centre’ approximately 8 hours a day, but submissions of assignments and contributions to discussions can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sometimes we allow participants (by exception) to spread their course participation over the period of two separate courses. In this way, they can still participate, even if they have to leave for work, to a place where they do not have Internet access, or when unexpected emergencies occur.

Certificate

Participants will be provided with a certificate of completion/attendance from both the European Network University and Modus Operandi after the course is finished.

Network

For the further development of the program we are co-operating with the following institutions: Charles Léopold Mayer Foundation, The Global Coalition in Conflict Transformation, Action for Conflict Transformation,
The Centre for Conflict Resolution Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, UK and The European Platform on Conflict Prevention, the Netherlands.

Registration and information

Requests for additional information can be sent by email to Claske Dijkema.

Registration is possible by clicking here or by visiting the homepage of the Network University. Registration implies an intent to participate in the course and transfer the fee. If you are not sure about participation, please contact us first.

Course fees

Regular fee for the course is €300. If you participate in more than one course, a discount is available.

A limited amount of reduced fees is available for shoestring-budget NGO’s, groups and individuals in special circumstances. In that case, a CV and/or short letter of intent should be sent to claske@modop.org. The fees are due no later than two weeks before the start of the courses. Later transfer of fees implies automatic transfer to the next available course. Please use the information below to transfer the fee.

Bank information

  • Bank – Credit Coopératif, 29, Avenue Félix Viallet, 38016 Grenoble
  • Account Name – Modus Operandi, La Reina, Saint Pancrasse, France
  • IBAN – FR7642559000162102939680202
  • Swift/Bic Code – CCOPFRPPXXX

What is next?

As soon as your payment is received, an ‘Info Package’ with the didactics of the TNU courses and the description of the courses’ layout will be sent to you by email to help you prepare for the course.

Add your name to TransConflict’s e-Declaration in support of the principles of conflict transformation

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