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United States Institute of Peace

Conflict Sensitivity in Peacebuilding

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This introductory course provides an overview of conflict sensitivity and explains why organizations must institutionalize conflict sensitivity training and approaches. This course is relevant to anyone seeking to learn about conflict sensitivity, and we've developed the course materials with a broad and diverse audience in mind. However, most of the strategies we introduce are for peacebuilding project teams and organizations working in conflict-affected contexts.

Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo runs gender advocacy programs that are conflict sensitive (Photo: United Nations).
Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo runs gender advocacy programs that are conflict sensitive. (Photo: United Nations)

This course features a new tool created by the U.S. Institute of Peace. The Conflict Sensitivity Tool provides guidance around questions to ask throughout the different stages in the project lifecycle; however, we anticipate that the Tool will be updated in the future as new research emerges.

Learning objectives:

  • Explain the importance of conflict sensitivity for programming.
  • Distinguish key conflict-sensitive principles and practices.
  • Evaluate when, where, and how conflict sensitivity should be applied in the project lifecycle by using the USIP Conflict Sensitivity Tool.
  • Design programming that applies conflict-sensitive approaches throughout the project lifecycle.

If you cannot view the video, click here to watch it on YouTube.

Agenda

Introduction

This section introduces the core components of conflict sensitivity and why it is important for individuals and organizations working in conflict-affected contexts.

Pillars

This section explains the multi-dimensional nature of conflict sensitivity, including the role of positionality and power, institutionalization, and project integration. It also introduces USIP's Conflict Sensitivity Tool. The tool is intended to help project managers and designers address project outcomes that could exacerbate tension.

Planning

This section outlines how to use USIP's Conflict Sensitivity Tool during the planning phase of a program or project lifecycle.

Implementation and Close Out

This section outlines how to use USIP's Conflict Sensitivity Tool to assist with conflict-sensitive project implementation and decision-making practices. It ends with a presentation about conflict-sensitive evaluation mechanisms and how to apply them during project closeout.

Application

This section allows learners to see how conflict sensitivity is applied in real-life projects and to reflect on ways practitioners and organizations can improve their practice.

Conclusion

The concluding section provides an opportunity for self-assessment and a chance to earn a certificate.

Instructors and Guest Experts

Instructors

  • Amanda Blair, Ph.D., Senior Program Officer, U.S. Institute of Peace
  • Marcia Mundt, Ph.D., Program Officer, U.S. Institute of Peace

Guest Experts

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