IPT Core Course

Aim & Content:

The Core Course aims at providing participants with the basic knowledge and skills required in post-conflict and crisis areas, independent of the specific function they will fulfill as experts in their own fields. All the modules should enhance desirable personal attitudes, stress the importance of active involvement in the host society and promote a reflective and critical approach with regard to the complex issues faced in peace-keeping and peace-building.  Particular stress is put on the development of a co-operative attitude towards representatives and approaches of governmental and inter-governmental actors involved in peace-building, peace-keeping, development co-operation and humanitarian assistance as well as on the mainstreaming of a conflict- and gender-sensitive approach. 

The Core Course includes modules aiming at improving participants’ qualifications for working in a multi-cultural and conflict prone society and for contributing to the transformation of conflicts. It gives a basic understanding of major functional tasks in the field as well as of the goals and approaches of actors involved. Participants will also get acquainted with various field-work techniques. The following sessions are offered*:  

• Peace-Building

• Cultural Awareness 

• Cross-Cultural Communication & Working with National and International Staff 

• Conflict Analysis 

• Methods of Third Party Intervention, with a special Focus on Mediation

• Human Rights & their Protection and Promotion

• Democratization & Civil Society Development in a Post-Conflict Environment

• Stress Management & Working with Trauma

   Practical exercises include 

• a two-day Workshop on Project Management   
• Map Reading and handling a Compass  
• a Four Wheel-Drive Training                     
• a Complex Simulation Exercise held outdoors
• Case Studies

* Maybe subject to change.

Target Group:

People working with national or international non-governmental organizations, international organizations (e.g. UN), governments, the academic or private sectors who

• want to prepare for field missions in post-conflict and crisis areas in other countries than their own and in their own countries
• want to serve as multipliers in their own countries and communities, passing on the knowledge and skills obtained in the course

Dates:

IPT is held three times a year.

Core Course:

7 – 20 March 2010
Application Deadline: 10 December 2009

11 – 24 July 2010
Application Deadline: 12 May 2010

Please note that the precondition for the attendance of a Specialisation Course is having participated in one of our Core Courses (or a similar basic mission preparation training course) or to have, acquired through personal experience, a thorough knowledge of the work in a field mission.