Different societies face deep political crises, unproductive dialogues between government and opposition groups, major challenges in reaching broad social consensus, frequent waves of citizen protests, or even violent and armed conflicts. Managing these scenarios requires special skills. The multiplicity of actors and issues, as well as phenomena such as the interconnectedness between them and the unpredictability of outcomes, require the use of tools developed for the study of complex systems. These tools provide the basis for analysing the current situation, preventing the emergence of new crises and establishing a working relationship between the conflicting parties in the future. By combining theoretical elements, experiences from different conflict contexts such as Colombia, Afghanistan and South Sudan, and practical methods, this course aims to discuss key tools for dealing with and negotiating in complex political contexts.
Course objectives:
- Become familiar with a varied set of tools in conflict resolution;
- Identify elements that should be incorporated in a sound conflict analysis;
- Approach political crises strategically;
- Go beyond the zero-sum approach that characterizes many conflicts and develop a longer-term perspective in the relationship between the parties involved;
- Exchange experiences and become part of a community of practice.
Logistics:
- The course consists of preparatory readings and a 3-day on-site training (Wednesday to Friday). The course schedule is 9h00-12h30 and 14h00-17h30 (may be subject to change).
- The course will take place at kHaus, a dynamic urban meeting place and cultural center situated in the heart of Basel along the picturesque Rhine River. Conveniently situated, the venue is easily accessible via public transportation, merely a 15-minute journey from the Basel SBB train station.
- All courses are taught in English.
How to register
How to register
This course is designed for:
- Professionals who would like to improve their negotiation and/or mediation skills.
- Practitioners and academics interested in complementing their own experiences with current conceptual insights, practical knowledge and recent developments in the field.
The course is open to the public. It is also part of the swisspeace continuing education program CAS Peace Mediation & Dialogue offered annually by swisspeace and the University of Basel.
Candidates must have:
- a university degree in a related discipline such as political science, law, economics or sociology
- at least two years of professional experience
- a good command of English.
If you are unsure, do not hesitate to contact us.
