Multiple challenges restrict the exercise of effective leadership in today’s often violent peacebuilding contexts. International peacebuilding policy and practice is still evolving to address the real challenges of building sustainable peace in conflicted, polarised and violent contexts. This leadership course provides an opportunity for senior leaders to enhance their understanding of sustainable peacebuilding and to further develop the leadership styles that can achieve it. You will also learn how to apply the tools and concepts presented in the course within the context of your work.

Methodology

The course emphasises collaborative and inspirational leadership methods. It offers an interactive format while building on participants’ specific knowledge and experience. Plenary and working group discussions include conceptual input and experiential learning methods. Case studies focus on specific leadership issues in the wider peacebuilding field. With experienced senior leaders acting as mentors in this course, participants are encouraged to address their own leadership challenges and develop strategies that are immediately applicable in their work environment.

Modules include:

• Exploring Leadership for Peace
• The Sustaining Peace Agenda - Progress to Date and Challenges Ahead
• Leadership for Peacebuilding - Challenges, Concepts, Mindsets and Skills
• Strengthening the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Leadership Nexus
• Leadership Leveraging Diversity
• Leadership Mind and Body
• Leadership for Peace – Way Forward

The course is conducted under Chatham House rules which provides those driving national and international peacebuilding efforts with a safe learning environment in company of peers and experienced leaders, coaches and mentors.

Application

Applicants are requested to submit along with the standard requirements of documents (see Registration), a short text of no more than 220 words, reflecting on a personal leadership challenge that you previously have encountered or are currently experiencing within your peacebuilding context. The challenge will be used as a case study for the participant throughout the course. The quality and relevance of the leadership challenge also constitutes an important criterion in the selection process for participation in the course. Only applications completed with a short bio and a personal leadership challenge text will be considered in the selection process.

The course targets peacebuilding leaders with at least ten years of relevant experience and responsibilities. We welcome both international and national peacebuilders, most notably representatives of:

• international organisations, such as but not limited to, the UN, AU, EU, OSCE, NATO, ASEAN, OAS, and LAS;
• national institutions, including governments, ministries, commissions and the security sector; and
• civil society, including traditional and religious leaders, NGOs, INGOs, trade unions, media, business, professional associations and women’s groups.

Participation is limited to 24 participants, selection is made through a competitive process to ensure a diverse and complementary group of participants.

Full attendance in all sessions of the course is required for certification. The course certificate will only be granted to participants that have participated in all sessions.

The course will be held in English; no translation will be provided. Participants therefore need to ensure proficiency in spoken and written English.

The course is sponsored by the Government of Switzerland, the GCSP and UNITAR, so it is offered free of charge to selected participants.