Concept Note - Conflict Transformation and Peace Building

7/29/2019 Concept Note - Conflict Transformation and Peace Building

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The Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Managementof the Tata Institute of Social Sciences

announces a 5-day

TRAINING PROGRAMME ON CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION AND PEACE BUILDING INDISASTER MANAGEMENT

February 7 to 11, 2011

ContextEmergencies in the South Asian region particularly have increased in the last ten years includingdisasters and conflicts. Natural disasters have more than doubled since the 1980s and apart fromnatural disasters, which are partially human-made; the region has also witnessed conflicts. Since

2000, the world has witnessed over 35 major conflicts and some 2,500 disasters. Every year, morethan 35 million people are displaced as a result of war, crime, political unrest, and natural disastersand there were over 14 million refugees at the beginning of 2008 most of them originating fromand residing in the developing countries.

Wide-ranging challenges, such as persistent poverty, rising epidemics, terrorism, environmentaldegradation and the collapse of social systems compounded with high levels of violence call forspecialized and specific responses. However, most of the aforementioned challenges and issues areintertwined and interdependent and hence cannot be addressed in isolation. Nor can they beeffectively addressed without dealing with the internal tensions or divergent interests. Furtherdimensions are added by processes of political transition and the forces of globalization that have

led to rising ethnic tensions and identity politics, especially in the midst of economic crisis.Although development policies are designed to eradicate poverty, injustice and minimize thedestruction of natural resources, as well as contribute to peaceful resolution of crisis and conflictsrooted in poor development and social transition, newer approaches, effective instruments andefficient services will need to be further developed on a continuous basis to respond to ever new

conflicts.

While each conflict is unique owing to different underlying causes and trajectory leading todifferent impacts and solutions, it is possible to identify some common threads on how theseconflicts have evolved and can be addressed. Careful examination of the causes, the stakeholders,

the stages of the conflict, the external factors and the context is required to gain insight intoopportunities for interventions in the form of mediation or preventive diplomacy, whereas otherstrategies could help transform the conflict leading to stability and peace. There is a need thereforeto create tools, mechanisms and methods to manage conflicts and find common areas of interest,which are central to conflict transformation efforts.

Conflict transformation processes cut across a range of initiatives including violence prevention,

restoring social cohesion, peace-building and reconciliation. In order to ensure that communitiesand societies can live more equitably and peacefully together. Conflict transformation processeshelp in finding common ground and focus on building the structures essential to prevent conflict

and achieving sustainable peace. However, very often conflict resolution initiatives focus on short-term solutions that fail to address deep-rooted anxieties and do not support or translate intoconflict transformation. There is a variety of factors underlying any conflict which requiresstrategic as well as multi-pronged responses. It is impossible for anyone stakeholder or institutionto respond at all stages and to every aspect of the conflict. Hence, conflict transformation is a multi-

stakeholder led process operating both locally and internationally.


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Increasingly, it has been recognized that short term solutions are short-lived and continue tothreaten peace and security resulting in resurgence of violence in post-conflict societies impacting,

other parts of the region. Hence, there is a need for the regional and international communities towork towards political solutions and framework for sustainable peace.

This training programme seeks to combine an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice ofconflict transformation from a regional and international perspective offering participants an

opportunity to: (a) gain a conceptual understanding about conflicts and conflict transformation, (b)learn about ways of integrating conflict management into existing development processes and (c)lean the significance of human rights principles in conflict transformation.

Learning Objectives

To understand the complexities of various conflicts. To situate the understanding of peace and conflict within the broader context of development

work. To develop an understanding of the range of skills required in addressing conflicts across social,

cultural and political contexts.

To identify forces that trigger and fuel inter-communal differences resulting in violence andextremism.

To appreciate and begin to develop skills in conflict transformation such as communication,negotiation, facilitation, mediation and reconciliation.

To understand the significance of regional and international organizations, civil society,academia, experts and media in the mediation, management and transformation of conflicts and

peace-building.

Expected Outcomes Participants are able to identify issues, needs, interests, differences (positions) and common

approaches among stakeholders in peace-building.

Participants will begin to develop insights into skills required for sustaining peace and forconflict transformation.

Participants will have an opportunity to explore their communication skills in facilitatingconflict transformation processes.

Curriculum1. Conflict transformation and peace-building: Understanding the dynamics of conflict;

understanding the processes of negotiation and communication, strategies of peace-buildingand conflict escalation.

2. Human rights awareness: The idea of social justice and human rights and a rights basedapproach to peace-building.

3. Gender concerns in conflict transformation and peace-building.4.

Cultural issues: The importance of cultural awareness in conflict transformation and socialreconstruction; the cultural content of conflict escalation; the significance of religion, language,gender; the central importance of identity in the dynamics of contemporary conflicts.

Participant ProfileThe programme is meant for middle and senior level professionals in government and non-governmental organizations engaged in development work in general and disaster management inparticular.


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Total Number of SeatsThe programme will admitonly 25 participants.

The medium of instruction of the programme is English.

MethodologyThe programme design includes presentations by resource persons followed and interspersed with

spaces for interaction and experience sharing, problem-solving exercises, group work and film-screenings.

Resource PersonsLeading experts from the sector with rich and diverse experience of organizing such interventions

and capacity building programmes will be invited to facilitate the sessions.

DurationThe training programme is residential and will be facilitated over 5 full days.

VenueGuest House Board RoomTata Institute of Social SciencesMalti and Jal A D Naoroji CampusDeonar Farm Road,Deonar, Mumbai 400 088.

FeesSelected participants will have to pay a registration fees of Rs. 7500, which will cover costs of food,accommodation, training material and field trip expenses, if any. Fees are payable by Bank DemandDraft in favour of 'Tata Institute of Social Sciences', payable in Mumbai which are to be couriered to:

Ms. Evon D'SouzaSecretariatJamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster ManagementTata Institute of Social Sciences

Malti and Jal A D Naoroji CampusDeonar, Mumbai 400 088.

Registration FormAspiring candidates need to fill in and send the registration form which can be downloaded and

posted on the TISS address mentioned in the FEES section or forwarded via e-mail:[email protected].

Registration forms need to be accompanied with an updated resume of the candidate.

Last date for registration Monday, 24th January, 2011.

Tata Institute of Social Sciences:Established in 1936, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has demonstrated pioneering workin teaching, research, training and field action in promoting sustainable, equitable and participatory


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development. TISS has been involved in voluntary action in response to most national emergenciesin India, the post partition refugee crisis in 1947 being one of the first such instances.

Consolidating nearly 60 years of work in disasters, the Jamsetji Tata Centre for DisasterManagement (JTCDM) was established with a vision of enhancing disaster studies in India andworking towards a holistic, accountable and participatory system of disaster response and

mitigation. It was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on the 6th of May, 2006.

Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management (JTCDM)Disaster Management is emerging globally as a full-fledged academic discipline. Since disasterresponse has primarily been a practitioner's domain, its boundaries have been permeable. peoplefrom diverse backgrounds including relief workers, engineers, social scientists and medicalprofessionals have worked in disaster management. This has facilitated the growth of disaster

management as a substantive field. However, as a field of practice, it demands specialization tomeet with the dynamic challenges posed by disasters and the contexts in which they occur.Recognizing this the Centre offers a wide variety of educational and training programmes,undertakes disaster interventions, engages in research, publication and policy work.

For queries please call Ms. Evon DSouza, Secretariat, JTCDM on 022-25525880 between10.30 am and 5.30 pm (Mon to Fri except public holidays)

OR

Write to: The Training Coordinator - [email protected]

Suggested Terms:1. Payment should be made by Demand Draft in favour of Tata Insitute of Social Sciences, payable

at Mumbai and mailed to the above mentioned address.2. Course fee can be paid through bank transfer to Account No. 10895954226, State Bank of India,

Deonar Branch, Mumbai.3. Registrations without payments will NOT be accepted.4. Only 50% fee is refundable in case of cancellation on part of the participant.5. Full refund will be given in case of cancellation on part of the organizers.6. Participants need to make their own travel arrangements to and from the training venue

including local conveyance.7. Duly filled registration forms along with resume and DD must reach on or before 24th January,

2011.8. Accommodation will be offered on a twin-sharing basis only.9. Organizers reserve the right to alter course curriculum and of permitting admission to the

programme.10.Changes in venue and other particulars, if any, will be informed, to the participants.11.

Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants who attend all sessions.

Documents

Concept Note - Conflict Transformation and Peace Building