Today, the proximity of discourses on radicalization to terrorism and security-related policies poses various challenges for peacebuilding practice. In practice, radicalization is often equated with Islamist violent extremism, and met with security-centered counter-terrorism approaches and measures such as Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) or Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). This limits our understanding of radicalization processes, which may also be a form of societal and political protest that remains within the boundaries of democratic negotiation. Along these lines of reasoning, economic deprivation and political marginalization lead to strong emotions of resentment and frustration that may lead to radicalization with or without violence. This course looks into the concept of radicalization as well as other notions such as de-radicalization, extremist violence, PVE and CVE in relation to peacebuilding practice and discusses them through different case studies from the Global North and South.

In this course, you will:

• Discuss the concept of radicalization and related terms such as de-radicalization and preventing or countering violent extremism.
• Gain a better understanding of what these concepts imply for peacebuilding practice.
• Learn about and share knowledge on different forms and processes of (de-) radicalization across different geographic contexts.
• Exchange experiences and become part of a community of practice.

Documentary evidence plays an important role in Dealing with the Past processes: It is indispensable for truth seeking, accountability, reparations, institutional reforms, vetting, memorialization and history. However, if the creation, collection, management and preservation of such evidence is not properly done, records and archives documenting violations of human rights and international humanitarian law can be at risk of losing their value and thus prevent their future usability.

In this course, participants are introduced to topics related to documentation. Next to archival principles, arrangement and description, preservation and protection, as well as outreach and promotion, participants will also learn about ethical and legal responsibilities, such as informed consent, information privacy and do no harm.

The course is perfect for those of you who want to update their documentation skills in a practice-oriented manner. Course materials are introduced by drawing on concrete examples, which allows participants to gain valuable knowledge for their daily work.

In this course you will:

• Acquire a thorough understanding of documenting and archiving practices to support the right to know, the right to reparations, the right to justice as well as guarantees of non-recurrence.
• Familiarize yourself with documentation and archival principles.
• Understand the technical requirements of information, archives and data management.
• Reflect on ethical principles and legal responsibilities involved in the creation, management and preservation of records and archives for Dealing with the Past processes.
• Exchange experiences and become part of a community of practice.

How can peace and conflict studies contribute to understanding conflict dynamics in Ukraine? What are the opportunities for conflict settlement in Ukraine through dialogue at the local, national and international levels? What obstacles do these efforts face?

The 2021 swisspeace virtual summer school provides an overview of current academic and policy debates on conflict resolution, dialogue, and peacebuilding and critically reflects on their relevance for the Ukraine context. Following an introduction to peace and conflict theories and the architecture of international peacebuilding, participants will analyze the situation in Ukraine and reflect on opportunities and pitfalls for dialogue and conflict settlement in the current context.

What are the main developments in Ukraine since 2014? Who are the key actors and what are the main drivers of conflict domestically and internationally? How can the root causes of the conflict be addressed? What is the status of the settlement process and what role do international actors play? Participants will discuss these questions with inputs from a faculty made up of senior practitioners and scholars. Participants also have the opportunity to work on specific topics relevant to the Ukraine context in the areas of dialogue, peacebuilding, mediation, and state-building.

In this course, you will:

• understand the conflict in and around Ukraine and the current status of the settlement process.
• analyze key actors, drivers and layers of conflict in the context of Ukraine.
• assess opportunities and challenges for dialogue in Ukraine at the local, national and international level.
• learn about key concepts from peace studies and how they apply to Ukraine.
• exchange experiences and become part of a community of practice.

Violent conflict is the primary obstacle to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The international and national community – from the humanitarian, development, stabilization, peacebuilding and human rights sectors – need to enhance their effectiveness in supporting locally led efforts fostering sustainable peace.

Interpeace’s Effective Advising Course equips experts and advisors with new ways of approaching the complexity of their work in and on conflict affected contexts. Focused on three interlinked spheres of action: interpersonal, contextual, and organizational, the course reinforces participants’ ability to identify and seize opportunities for change.

Over a period of 11 weeks, the online global edition of this professional development course is made up of 12 ~2.5-hour sessions, 3 dedicated group work sessions,
as well as background reading and individual preparation.

A team of three experienced facilitators guide ~25 participants selected from around the world to take a step back from their day-to-day work environments and reflect on their individual roles and effectiveness as advisors.

Interpeace’s interactive and practice-oriented methodology provides a space for professionals to take a fresh look at advisory challenges and tackle these more consciously and creatively using practical frameworks.

Five core training modules structure the course:

1. Advisory roles
2. Peacebuilding contexts and principles
3. Personal agency & interpersonal skills
4. Advising in complex systems
5. Change process and managing resistance