Welcome to the Network University’s Summer School!
This summer the Network University offers three interactive ONLINE courses on conflict transformation focused on:Transforming Civil Conflicts (June 16 – July 4, 2008)
Gender and Conflict Transformation (July 14 – August 1, 2008)
Post Conflict Politics (August 11 – August 23 2008)
Recent history has witnessed a rapid increase in the number of violent civil conflicts. Professional organisations, working in conflict areas, have learned that they need to understand the dynamics of conflict transformation in order to effectively interact with the breakdown in social cohesion, community disintegration, marginalisation, and increasing social injustice that characterise these situations. The Network University's Summer School offers three, very different but complementary, learning experiences designed to assist individuals and organisations in developing the skills they need.
The overall objectives of the Summer School are: To develop a better understanding of the theories and conceptual frameworks of conflicts and their relevance in practice
To develop competences related to conflict analysis
To encourage the development of effective intervention strategies
To learn how to apply the appropriate strategy to the specifics of the conflict situation
To share experiences from research and practice in order to develop new insights in conflict transformation
To further develop a network of conflict related organisations and institutions.
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate from the Network University.
If you would like to download more information for yourself and for others:
- Press Release
- Summer University Folder
This summer the Network University offers three interactive ONLINE courses on conflict transformation focused on:
Recent history has witnessed a rapid increase in the number of violent civil conflicts. Professional organisations, working in conflict areas, have learned that they need to understand the dynamics of conflict transformation in order to effectively interact with the breakdown in social cohesion, community disintegration, marginalisation, and increasing social injustice that characterise these situations. The Network University's Summer School offers three, very different but complementary, learning experiences designed to assist individuals and organisations in developing the skills they need.
The overall objectives of the Summer School are:
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate from the Network University.
If you would like to download more information for yourself and for others:
- Press Release
- Summer University Folder
Courses on offer
During this summer you have a chance to follow three courses:Transforming Civil Conflicts (June 16 – July 4, 2008)
Gender and Conflict Transformation (July 14 – August 1, 2008)
Post Conflict Politics (August 11 – August 23 2008)
What are they about?
Transforming Civil Conflicts, winner of the International Relations and Security Network Empire Grant 2000
What are the reasons for civil conflicts to occur? What kind of processes accompany violent outburst? How can these dynamics be transformed? This course will trigger your thinking on important concepts such as conflict resolution, multi-track diplomacy, how to develop a win-win strategy and how to choose the most appropriate intervention strategy.
For more information on this course, click here.
Gender and Conflict Transformation
In many conflict situations security is considered a man’s affair and is defined in military terms, however women have different skills, perspectives and leadership styles. How can we develop a more gender sensitive approach to conflict transformation? This course will familiarise you with strategies to overcome gender specific barriers to conflict transformation and address gender relations at the local and international levels.
For more information on this course, click here.
Post Conflict Politics
In too many cases, peace accords do not lead to political transformation. This course will therefore look at the politics of securing peace forthe long term. Its focus is on how politicians manage the relation between state and society. Topics that will be discussed are: peace agreements, legitimacy in governance, democracy and its limitations, the creation of institutions and the question of representativity. The course is based on a three year research project on states engaged in transition from dictatorship or civil war to a democratic model of governance. Regions of focus are Central Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Balkans.
During this summer you have a chance to follow three courses:
What are they about?
Transforming Civil Conflicts, winner of the International Relations and Security Network Empire Grant 2000
What are the reasons for civil conflicts to occur? What kind of processes accompany violent outburst? How can these dynamics be transformed? This course will trigger your thinking on important concepts such as conflict resolution, multi-track diplomacy, how to develop a win-win strategy and how to choose the most appropriate intervention strategy.
For more information on this course, click here.
Gender and Conflict Transformation
In many conflict situations security is considered a man’s affair and is defined in military terms, however women have different skills, perspectives and leadership styles. How can we develop a more gender sensitive approach to conflict transformation? This course will familiarise you with strategies to overcome gender specific barriers to conflict transformation and address gender relations at the local and international levels.
For more information on this course, click here.
Post Conflict Politics
In too many cases, peace accords do not lead to political transformation. This course will therefore look at the politics of securing peace forthe long term. Its focus is on how politicians manage the relation between state and society. Topics that will be discussed are: peace agreements, legitimacy in governance, democracy and its limitations, the creation of institutions and the question of representativity. The course is based on a three year research project on states engaged in transition from dictatorship or civil war to a democratic model of governance. Regions of focus are Central Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Balkans.
Our Methodology
The Network University's approach to online learning is different to most distant learning programmes. In our courses, you receive intensive, constant, high quality coaching from a range of coaches and experts throughout the course. You can send your questions to our coaches via our online call centre to provide you with personal feedback.
The course uses a variety of interactive methods to stimulate critical thinking on why, when and how to apply conflict transformation. You choose to work on a conflict of your choice and are encouraged to develop specific plans of action that can be shared with your constituencies. Every week there will be different assignments aimed at stimulating further discussion in which you can learn from the experiences of others whilst deepening your understanding of the material.
The whole programme is taught and supervised on the Internet, in English. Because we coach from different continents simultaneously, you can receive personal feedback in either English, French, Spanish, German or Dutch. You enter the course with an individual password and participate at your own convenience, pace and level of intensity for the duration of the course.
A minimum commitment of 8-10 hours per week of summer school is required. This may involve reading, discussing, reearch, questioning or developing your own strategy for conflict transformation.
The Network University's approach to online learning is different to most distant learning programmes. In our courses, you receive intensive, constant, high quality coaching from a range of coaches and experts throughout the course. You can send your questions to our coaches via our online call centre to provide you with personal feedback.
The course uses a variety of interactive methods to stimulate critical thinking on why, when and how to apply conflict transformation. You choose to work on a conflict of your choice and are encouraged to develop specific plans of action that can be shared with your constituencies. Every week there will be different assignments aimed at stimulating further discussion in which you can learn from the experiences of others whilst deepening your understanding of the material.
The whole programme is taught and supervised on the Internet, in English. Because we coach from different continents simultaneously, you can receive personal feedback in either English, French, Spanish, German or Dutch. You enter the course with an individual password and participate at your own convenience, pace and level of intensity for the duration of the course.
A minimum commitment of 8-10 hours per week of summer school is required. This may involve reading, discussing, reearch, questioning or developing your own strategy for conflict transformation.
About us
The Network University (TNU) is a centre for collaborative learning. TNU is rooted in the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It offers innovative courses via the Internet to a worldwide audience of students and professionals. Participants with different professional backgrounds share their experiences in interactive group discussions and assignments. They become co-producers in joint knowledge networks.
Our activities are aimed at generating new knowledge and insights on some of today's key social challenges. These activities include the development and supervision of online courses, online debates, commissioned research, workshops combining online and face-to-face learning experiences and consultancy and strategy development on E-learning.
The goal of TNU is to be one of the world's most innovative institutions of higher learning which:
creates networks between universities and social organisations in Europe and beyond;
offers manifold opportunities of inspiring collaborative and competence based learning in degree-programmes and expert-courses;
offers participants access to broad knowledge networks.
Moderators and coaches: Claske Dijkema, France/Netherlands, TNU course developer and coordinator, gender specialist and researcher. Has been previously involved with ACCORD in Africa and also worked in China.
Ditta Dolejsiova, Slovakia, TNU course developer and coordinator, youth specialist and youth trainer with the Council of Europe.
Gerd Junne, Germany, professor in International Relations at the University of Amsterdam, researcher for, amongst others, UN, FAO, ILO, the EU and Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Current research and teaching interest “Peacemaking and Peacekeeping” and “Post-Conflict Development”.
Vic Klabbers, Netherlands, co-director of TNU, expert on ICT and education, professional moderator of online processes.
Celina Del Felice
Karine Gatelier
Alexia Steiner
Biviana Buitrago
Bart Overbeek
The Network University (TNU) is a centre for collaborative learning. TNU is rooted in the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It offers innovative courses via the Internet to a worldwide audience of students and professionals. Participants with different professional backgrounds share their experiences in interactive group discussions and assignments. They become co-producers in joint knowledge networks.
Our activities are aimed at generating new knowledge and insights on some of today's key social challenges. These activities include the development and supervision of online courses, online debates, commissioned research, workshops combining online and face-to-face learning experiences and consultancy and strategy development on E-learning.
The goal of TNU is to be one of the world's most innovative institutions of higher learning which:
Moderators and coaches:
Registration
The Summer University starts June 16, 2008.
You may register for one or all three courses. The registration process will be closed on May 31st, 2008.
Places for the summer school are limited, so please register early.
Register for the Summer University now:
Course fees:
Payment is required via bank transfer one week before the Summer School starts. Please indicate the course(s) you have registered for. Transfer the full course fee(s) to:
Bank: Postbank, Amsterdam
Account number: 824 00 56
Swift code: ING BNL2A
IBAN: NL23PSTB0008240056
Account name: Stichting The Network University
Address: Jan Evertsestraat 725, 1061 XZ Amsterdam
Group discounts are available upon request.
The Summer University starts June 16, 2008.
You may register for one or all three courses. The registration process will be closed on May 31st, 2008.
Places for the summer school are limited, so please register early.
| Programme | Dates | Course Coordinator |
| Youth Transforming Conflict | July 5 – 30 | Ditta Dolejsiova |
| Transforming Civil Conflict | August 9 – September 3 | Hanneke Oudkerk |
| Gender and Conflict Transformation | September 20 – October 15 | Claske Dijkema |
Register for the Summer University now:
To register for the Summer University click here.
If you are already registered with The Network University (because you have participated in previous courses), you will need to first log-in here and then request access to the Summer School. Do let us know if you no longer remember your login and password.Course fees:
| Courses offered: | Prices: |
| Participation in all three courses | € 600.- |
| A selection of two courses | € 450.- |
| Only one course | € 250.- |
Payment is required via bank transfer one week before the Summer School starts. Please indicate the course(s) you have registered for. Transfer the full course fee(s) to:
Bank: Postbank, Amsterdam
Account number: 824 00 56
Swift code: ING BNL2A
IBAN: NL23PSTB0008240056
Account name: Stichting The Network University
Address: Jan Evertsestraat 725, 1061 XZ Amsterdam
Group discounts are available upon request.
Scholarships
If you would like to participate in the summer school and need financial aid, there are a very limited number of full and partial scholarships available.
If you work for a NGO or humanitarian organisation with limited funds, are based in a developing country and are active in a conflict area, please send a request from your organisation and a letter of motivation to Bart Overbeek.
Note that the deadline for requesting a scholarships is May 15th, 2008.
If you would like to participate in the summer school and need financial aid, there are a very limited number of full and partial scholarships available.
If you work for a NGO or humanitarian organisation with limited funds, are based in a developing country and are active in a conflict area, please send a request from your organisation and a letter of motivation to Bart Overbeek.
Note that the deadline for requesting a scholarships is May 15th, 2008.