Conflict prevention remains high on the international policy agenda. Conflicts such as those in Iraq, Sudan, or Yemen have only increased interest in how to prevent violent conflicts, locally, nationally as well as internationally.

The course will dive into tools that can be used to prevent and mitigate conflicts, drawing from various conflict contexts. This includes early warning early response mechanisms, dialogue processes, dealing with the past or transitional justice mechanisms. Additionally, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), the course will look at how artificial intelligence could present opportunities for peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Lessons learned and case studies from conflict contexts such as Afghanistan, Ukraine, Tunisia, Sudan, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be analyzed.

This virtual course provides a unique opportunity to explore different perspectives and thematic and practical issues of conflict prevention with a diverse group of experts and experienced practitioners.

As a participant, you will:

• Examine the notion of conflict prevention and learn about theoretical and practical aspects of conflict prevention methods;
• Reflect on the topics of migration and dealing with the past from a conflict prevention perspective;
• Explore the potential and practical application of conflict prevention methods such as early warning and early response or conflict sensitivity in different contexts;
• Learn how to design conflict prevention measures in light of their opportunities and challenges;
• Learn from experienced conflict prevention practitioners, identify best practices, and draw lessons from other contexts for their own work;
• Exchange experiences and become part of a community of practice.

This course is offered in an interactive virtual format. The course consists of preparatory readings, 6 half-days of online-facilitated course (25-27 September & 02-04 October 2024), and individual or group assignments to work on throughout the course.