PrintEngaging With Identity-Based Differences
April 16, 2012
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April 20, 2012
Watch Instructor Peter Weinberger discuss his course. |
Participants learn about working with ethnic, religious, and tribal groups in a post-conflict environment. There is an overall approach of “reframing solutions,” so as to approach differing peoples out of respect and on their own terms, but at the same time, to find creative approaches to dealing with conflict. “I really learned a lot from this course. The class will better help me understand the obvious and hidden characteristics of the local/district populace, and most importantly, help me assess the potential implications on what our forces do when interacting with them.”—Eun Lee, Defense Intelligence Agency There is a focus on how to respond to demagogues, “conflict entrepreneurs” who enflame identities in order to advance their own agendas. The course will present skills to enable participants to navigate successfully within religious spaces, as well as how and when to implement programming in partnership with religious communities. The course will offer guidelines for working with disaffected youth, especially ex-combatants, and provide a framework on how to address gender empowerment and human rights issues within traditional cultures. Participants will examine how identity-based differences affect aid and development, rule of law and governance reform, and security and policing. Exercises explore issues such as: fostering trust between local leaders in moments of crisis, encouraging school reform that promotes tolerance and critical reflection, and engaging with senior leaders and clerics versus grassroots communities. Related Academy Courses:
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