Organization: CDA Collaborative Learning Projects, Barcelona International Peace Resource Center
Registration deadline: 10 Aug 2015
Starting date: 19 Oct 2015
Ending date: 23 Oct 2015
Reflecting on Peace Practice (RPP) IIis an intensive 5-day course with a focus on systems approaches to peacebuilding, facilitated by CDA and hosted by the Barcelona International Peace Resource Center (BIPRC). It will take place in Barcelona, Spain between October 19-23, 2015.
While there will be a recap of basic RPP concepts and tools during this course, the course's focus will be on systems approaches to conflict analysis and peacebuilding strategy. This includes practicing conflict analysis from a systems perspective, identifying points of leverage to create change in a conflict system, as well as designing theories of change and programmatic strategies for intervention. The workshop is very interactive, with many opportunities to practice the application of RPP tools from a systems point of view.
The Reflecting on Peace Practice (RPP) II training is an outcome of CDA’s work with over 200 agencies and many individuals from around the world. With the goal of improving the effectiveness of peace work, CDA and its partners analyzed experience at the strategy and program level across a broad range of agencies and contexts. Since 2003, CDA has been working with active peace programs in several regions of the world to test how the RPP lessons and tools can be applied in practice, as well as to deepen and expand the RPP findings in areas practitioners have identified as important. The resulting RPP lessons comprise a set of tools and concepts that are most useful for conceptualizing and designing programs. This course will help to provide insights to answer the following questions:
- What should we work on to have the most impact on peace and conflict in a given context?
- What are points of leverage in the given situation? How can we best intervene in a conflict system?
- With whom should we work? Which actors and stakeholders are most important?
- What is the rationale for our chosen approach – and is it valid in the context?
- How can we understand and monitor change more broadly beyond project and program results?
FACILITATORS Course facilitators are two seasoned RPP practitioners, Diana Chigas and Dr. Cordula Reimann.
Diana Chigas is Co-Director of Collaborative Learning at CDA. She has worked as a facilitator, trainer, advisor, researcher and evaluator in negotiation and conflict resolution for over 25 years, including leading CDA’s program to promote and learn from utilization of the RPP findings and tools since 2003. Diana has worked with intergovernmental agencies, NGOs and donors on systemic conflict analysis and on effectiveness of peacebuilding programming, and most recently has contributed to guidance for DFID and USAID on theories of change and to USAID’s conflict assessment framework.
Dr. Cordula Reimann, head and founder of core, has worked as consultant, facilitator, trainer, researcher and lecturer in peacebuilding and conflict transformation for nearly 20 years. She has worked for different international and Swiss governmental agencies and NGOs. In 2011 Cordula set up her own consultancy, coaching and training business called “core”.
WHO SHOULD APPLY We are looking for participants who have a keen interest in applying a systems perspective to peacebuilding, from a conflict analysis and strategy, and program design perspective. CDA encourages applications from those who play a mid-to senior level technical, managerial, or policy role in designing and implementing peace initiatives within their organizations or those who advise and support partners in this area.
REQUIREMENTS Fluency in English. Familiarity with basic RPP approaches and tools. Experience with using tools for conducting conflict analysis.
COST The course fee is 1650 USD. This fee includes accommodation in single standard room (with basin but shared bathroom facilities) at the Residencia Sant Felip Neri in Barcelona, from the 18 to the 24 of October (6 nights); meals and refreshments during the training; and all course materials. It does not include the cost of traveling to Barcelona. Payment information will be included in participants’ acceptance letter.
MATERIALS Participants will be provided with all course materials at the training. Participants are also encouraged to share and practice implementing lessons on their own projects or programs during the training.
TRAVEL AND VISA CDA and BIPRC do not cover costs for participants’ travel, visa, or insurance. However, we can provide some logistical support and letters of support for participant visa applications. This support will be given upon request, after acceptance into the course, and after CDA has received the course fee. Please note that the visa application must be prepared and submitted by the participant to the appropriate embassy or consulate.
How to register:
The application deadline is August 10, 2015 and admission decisions will be announced thereafter. To apply for this course, please submit together in one email: a one-page cover letter, a current resume or curriculum vitae and a completed application form available here on CDA's website, and also attached to this announcement as a Word document. Applications and questions regarding the course can be directed to Jasmine Walovitch at jwalovitch@cdacollaborative.org with a copy to Eva Lopez Amat at bcncentrepau@bcn.cat.
Please note that participants in need of a visa to visit Spain are encouraged to submit the course application forms as early as possible as the visa application process can take some time.