Course description
Crisis Management Centre (CMC) Finland is organising a mediation course on 18 – 22 November 2024, in Nuuksio, Finland. We will accept applications until 30 August 2024 at 16:15 (UTC +03:00).
This five-day residential course will use presentations, reflection, group exercises and experiential learning such as role-plays to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies of participants with regard to mediation, negotiation and dialogue. The course facilitators and trainers are internationally recognised experts of their field. The course methodology will additionally use the experience among the trainers and participants to deepen the learning and to illustrate the theoretical knowledge with practical examples.
Course objectives
The objective of the course is to increase the participants’ knowledge of mediation, negotiation and dialogue processes and how they relate to civilian crisis management missions, and increase their competence in applying mediation skills (conflict analysis, process design and facilitation skills). The course is aimed to be an introduction to peace mediation and its use in civilian crisis management, rather than a peace mediation expert course.
The objective of the course is to increase the participants’ knowledge of mediation, negotiation and dialogue processes and how they relate to civilian crisis management missions, and increase their competence in applying mediation skills (conflict analysis, process design and facilitation skills). The course is aimed to be an introduction to peace mediation and its use in civilian crisis management, rather than a peace mediation expert course.
There is an increased acknowledgement that civilian crisis management staff need skills in mediation and facilitation as well as general understanding of peace processes and their relation to the mission mandates. A majority of civilian crisis management missions operate in contexts with an ongoing or recently ended violent conflict. Thus the mandate of the mission might directly or indirectly relate to the implementation of the peace agreement or the monitoring of the implementation. Some civilian crisis management missions as well as secretariats have jobs that require specific expertise in mediation and dialogue facilitation, and some job descriptions include analysing conflict parties and the dynamics of a peace process. In addition, several other activities in civilian crisis management missions require negotiation and facilitation skills, for example mentoring and advising tasks, facilitating discussions between local stakeholders, and interacting with stakeholders to enhance communication and build trust.
Upon completion of the course the participants will be able to:
- Describe relevant UN, EU and OSCE mediation principles and approaches
- Explain third-party roles in conflict resolution, particularly mediation and dialogue facilitation
- Apply conflict analysis tools and recognise conflict resolution entry points
- Explain inclusive mediation, incl. gender-sensitive mediation, and discuss the inclusion of women and youth in peace processes
- Apply facilitation tools
- Describe factors relevant in mediation process design
- Discuss human rights and mediation
- Discuss the impact of conflict trends on peace mediation
- Examine how mediation, negotiation and dialogue may be applied in civilian crisis management missions
In addition to the five full training days, the student work load will be composed of mandatory pre-reading material. The pre-course material is provided to level the knowledge, skill and competence base of the participants, so all can benefit from the course equally.
Time and venue
The course will be held in the Hotel Nuuksio, Espoo 18 – 22 November 2024.
Target group
The target group includes civilian crisis management experts previously or currently deployed by CMC Finland who are interested in deepening their knowledge and skills in mediation, negotiation and dialogue facilitation, as well as other Finnish and international experts interested in the topic. The course is aimed to be an introduction to peace mediation and its use in civilian crisis management, rather than a peace mediation expert course.
The course will take 20-25 participants, based on applications received by CMC Finland. Recruitability to mediation and dialogue related posts in civilian crisis management missions will be a factor when choosing the participants.
Costs
The course fee for non-roster participants will be 600€, which covers the cost of full-board accommodation and transportation from Helsinki City Center to the course venue. The participants are required to arrange their own travels to Helsinki, Finland, including visa if needed.
The course fee is waived for Finnish participants who are in the CMC Finland expert roster (those who have either participated in the basic training of civilian crisis management through CMC Finland or have been deployed by CMC before). Those currently deployed to a crisis management mission should apply through their mission.
Application
The application period opens 10 June 2024 and closes 30 August 2024 at 16:15 (UTC +3:00). CMC Finland will select the participants and inform all applicants of the selection results in September 2024. You can find the application form HERE.
More information
Should you have any questions regarding the course, please contact us by email training@cmcfinland.fi with the headline ’Mediation 2024’.
