Information

Target Group

The target group for this course is professionals that work in conflict areas and students with a special interest in the topic. One can think of (inter)national relief agency workers, development professionals, conflict resolution trainers, military personnel, business people, journalists, students, academics and others working for governmental or (local) non-governmental organisations (NGO's) in countries and territories that are the scene of civil strife. 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 of different organisations.

Collaborative learning

The participant will participate in a collaborative learning experience in an online 'learning community' of professionals. Every week there will be different assignments. These are mostly NOT of the type: 'read some articles, write a paper and send it in before Friday.' The assignments aim to stimulate discussion and cooperation between the participants. In addition to individual and group assignments there will be online discussions and exercises. For more information on the didactic principles of the Network University please click on the TNU logo on top of the page.

Next Course Date in 2008:

September 8th - October 5th, 2008

Time needed for the course

Courses start on Mondays and finish on Fridays, 4 weeks later. There always is a two weeks extra time for additional online debate (optional). The course is designed for people who want to study, learn and work at the same time. The amount of time needed to complete the assignments and participate will depend on your experience with Internet, level of participation (in discussion groups) and familiarity with the subject. As most of our participants are working, we strive to make it possible to complete every week's assignments with 10 hours of reading, debating and studying. The course is taught 'a-synchrone'. You do not have to be present at certain hours. You can spread your work over the week. So if the weekends and evenings are better for you then you can use those to work on the course. We will be reachable about 14 hours a day directly. You can make your assignment-submissions, contributions to discussions and ask your questions to coaches 24 hours a day. The website will be open 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. This way they can still participate even if they have to leave for work, where they do not have Internet-access, or have unexpected emergencies.

Other courses

'Gender and Conflict Resolution'. The course was piloted in July of 2003. Target group: women professionals working in women's NGO's on the ground, NGO workers and decisionmakers. Partners for this project are The Women's Mediterranean Study Center KEGME in Athens Greece, The Women Building Peace project at International Alert in London, Judy El Bushra (formerly ACORD, London) and Shelley Anderson (Women's Peacemaker Program the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, IFOR, Alkmaar, The Netherlands).

'Youth Transforming Conflict'. A special course on 'Youth Transforming Conflict' with a target group of all interested in exploring the role of youth in conflict has been developed. The pilot course took place in February 2004.

Special Courses: Special short 10-14 day or long versions of the course can be made available under certain circumstances for larger groups, NGO's or other organisations. Contact conflict@netuni.uva.nl.