Multiple challenges restrict the exercise of effective leadership in today’s often violent peacebuilding contexts. International peacebuilding policy and practice are still evolving to address the real challenges of building sustainable peace in conflicted, polarised and violent contexts.

This leadership course co-hosted by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) 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.

Learning objectives

Co-hosted by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the course is led by a training team of course directors, senior leaders and mentors and will enable you to:

• Enhance your comprehensive understanding of recent developments, challenges, and opportunities in the field of sustaining peace;
• Gain insights on trends from the world of leadership practice and how these tools can be applied to further peacebuilding efforts in support of the sustaining peace agenda;
• Explore leadership mindsets, styles, practices and skills to more effectively deal with peacebuilding challenges
• Critically reflect the application of peacebuilding concepts and practices in the context of the dynamic global peace and security landscape
• Challenge yourself in a safe environment where you can share lessons learned and expand your network

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 New Agenda for Peace- Progress to Date and Challenges Ahead
• Leadership Challenges, Concepts, Mindsets and Skills
• 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 the 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 200 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 requires participants who are peacebuilding leaders with more than 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 highly 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.

Should you not have the ten years of required relevant experience, you will not be considered for this course. In this case, you may wish to consider applying for the Swiss Peacebuilding Training Course in Stans.

The course is sponsored by the Government of Switzerland, the GCSP and UNITAR, so the course does not require tuition fees.