It is with great pleasure that the Network University announces its online course on Transforming Civil Conflicts», which is scheduled to take place from 1- 26 April 2013.
During the course the participants are familiarised with contemporary theories of conflict and conflict transformation, acquainted with a range of relevant information on conflict and introduced to practical issues and debates within the field. They are brought together in a ‘learning community’ with people with a professional interest in conflict. The subjects for each of the course weeks are: Understanding Conflict, Conflict Transformation and Building a Desired Alternative. The students participate through online debates, assignments and exercises and are coached intensively online. Information about the content, fees, planning and approach to the conflicts can be found in the demo course.
In co-operation with the Center for Conflict Resolution at Bradford University and Modus Operandi, The Network University is organizing its award-winning four-week online certificate course in Conflict Transformation. The course is designed for professionals working in conflict areas and students with a special interest in the topic. For more information contact Claske Dijkema at claske@modop.org, visit our website: www.netuni.nl/demos/tcc/, or read on below.
Dates
Transforming Civil Conflicts (TCC) 1 – 26 April, 2013 20 March 2013 Post Conflict Politics (PCP) May 2013 Gender and Conflict Transformation Autumn 2013
Aim
The aim of the program is to help prepare participants for work in conflict areas, or to make their work more effective by giving them more insight into the processes in conflicts and the roles that different organizations play. This program focuses on developing critical analytical skills in order to ask relevant questions, rather than finding the right solutions and answers to conflicts straight away.
Content
During the course the participants are familiarized with contemporary theories of conflict and conflict transformation. Furthermore, they are acquainted with a wide range of relevant initiatives and introduced to practical issues and debates within the field. Together with people with a professional interest, they will form a ‘learning community’. The subjects for the course weeks are: Understanding Conflict, Conflict Transformation and Building a Desired Alternative. The students are coached online, and they will participate through 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 peace building efforts associated with it will be discussed, as well as the difference between Conflict Management, Resolution and Transformation and the three types of violence that we can distinguish in armed conflict situations. The assignments include exercises to map conflict issues, actors and dynamics and the participation in the debate.
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 Lederachs 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 participants have access to a library of conflict transformation tools, a map of actors, a glossary and a database of conflict transformation resources.
Target Group
The target groups for this course are professionals that work in conflict areas and students with a special interest in the topic. Some examples are: (inter)national relief agency workers, development professionals, conflict resolution trainers, military personnel, journalists, students in international relations or other conflict-related topics, academics and others working for governmental or NGOs in countries and territories that are the scene of violent conflict and civil strife.
Intensive Tailored Supervision
The course is tailor-made: participants receive personal feedback. They can choose the conflict(s) they would like to study. In addition they can suggest and initiate online debate topics. These are often linked to current affairs and student’s special interests. The course website is permanently accessible in some way to the students after the course is finished.
Collaborative learning
The participant will participate 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 to the 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 [www.fph.ch], The Global Coalition in Conflict Transformation [http://www.transconflict.com], Action for Conflict Transformation, [http://action-global.tumblr.com/], The Centre for Conflict Resolution Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, UK [www.brad.ac.uk/acad/confres] and The European Platform on Conflict Prevention [www.conflict-prevention.net], the Netherlands.
Registration and Information
Requests for information can be sent by email to Claske Dijkema at claske@modop.org. Please feel free to forward any of this information to people who might be interested. Registration is possible through www.netuni.nl/courses/ or the homepage of the Network University www.netuni.nl. Registration implies an intent to participate and transfer the fee. If you are not sure about participation please contact us first.
Course fees
The 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 we have received your payment, you will receive an Info Package by email, to help you prepare for the course. It contains the idea and didactics of the TNU courses and a description of the layout of the course(s) you have registered for to help you find your way around.