[Reader-list] Conflict Transformation and Peace-building in Disaster Management

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*Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding in Disaster Management*

*A five-day training programme organised by*

*the Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management*

*of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai*

* 12th - 16th of April 2010*

**

*Context*

Emergencies in the South Asian region particularly have increased in the
last ten years including disasters and conflicts. Natural disasters have
more than doubled since the 1980s and apart from natural disasters, which
are partially human-made; the region has also witnessed conflicts. Since
2000, the world has witnessed over 35 major conflicts and some 2,500
disasters. Every year, more than 35 million people are displaced as a result
of war, crime, political unrest, and natural disasters and there were over
14 million refugees at the beginning of 2008 most of them originating from
and residing in the developing countries.

Wide-ranging challenges, such as persistent poverty, rising epidemics,
terrorism, environmental degradation and the collapse of social systems
compounded with high levels of violence call for specialized and specific
responses. However, most of the aforementioned challenges and issues are
intertwined and interdependent and hence cannot be addressed in isolation.
Nor can they be effectively addressed without dealing with the internal
tensions or divergent interests. Further dimensions are added by processes
of political transition and the forces of globalisation that have led to
rising ethnic tensions and identity politics, especially in the midst of
economic crisis. Although development policies are designed to eradicate
poverty, injustice and minimize the destruction of natural resources, as
well as contribute to peaceful resolution of crises and conflicts rooted in
poor development and social transition, newer approaches, effective
instruments and efficient services will need to be further developed on a
continuous basis to respond to ever new conflicts.

While each conflict is unique owing to different underlying causes and
trajectory leading to different impacts and solutions, it is possible to
identify some common threads on how these conflicts have evolved and can be
addressed. Careful examination of the causes, the stakeholders, the stages
of the conflict, the external factors and the context is required to gain
insight into opportunities for interventions in the form of mediation or
preventive diplomacy, whereas other strategies could help transform the
conflict leading to stability and peace. There is a need therefore to create
tools, mechanisms and methods to manage conflicts and find common areas of
interest, which are central to conflict transformation efforts.



Conflict transformation processes cut across a range of initiatives
including violence prevention, restoring social cohesion, peace-building and
reconciliation. in order to ensure that communities and societies can live
more equitably and peacefully together. Conflict transformation processes
help in finding common ground and focus on building the structures essential
to prevent conflict and achieving sustainable peace. However, very often
conflict resolution initiatives focus on short-term solutions that fail to
address deeprooted anxieties and do not support or translate into conflict
transformation. There is a variety of factors underlying any conflict which
requires strategic as well as multipronged responses.  It is impossible for
any one stakeholder or institution to respond at all stages and to every
aspect of the conflict. Hence, conflict transformation is a multi
stakeholder led process operating both locally and internationally.



Increasingly, it has been recognised that short term solutions are
shortlived and continue to threaten peace and security resulting in
resurgence of violence in post-conflict societies impacting other parts of
the region.  Hence, there is a need for the regional and international
communities to work towards political solutions and framework for
sustainable peace.



This training programme seeks to combine an in-depth understanding of the
theory and practice of conflict transformation from a regional and
international perspective offering participants an opportunity to A. gain a
conceptual understanding about conflicts and conflict transformation, B.
learn about ways of integrating conflict management into existing
development processes and C. learn the significance of human rights
principles in conflict transformation.

*Learning objectives*

   - To understand the complexities of various conflicts.
   - To situate the understanding of peace and conflict within the broader
   context of development work.
   - To develop an understanding of the range of skills required in
   addressing conflicts across social, cultural and political contexts.
   - To identify forces that trigger and fuel inter-communal differences
   resulting in violence and extremism.
   - To appreciate and begin to develop skills in conflict transformation
   such as communication, negotiation, facilitation, mediation and
   reconciliation.
   - To understand the significance of regional and international
   organizations, civil society, academia, experts and media in the mediation,
   management and transformation of conflicts and peacebuilding.**

**

*Expected outcomes*



   - Participants are able to identify issues, needs, interests, differences
   (positions) and common approaches among stakeholders in peacebuilding.
   - Participants will begin to develop insights into skills required for
   sustaining peace and for conflict transformation.
   - Participants will have an opportunity to explore their communication
   skills in facilitating conflict transformation processes.



*Curriculum ***

(i) Conflict transformation and peace-building: understanding the dynamics
of conflict; understanding the processes of negotiation and communication,
strategies of peacebuilding and conflict escalation.

(ii) Human rights awareness: the idea of social justice and human rights and
a rights based approach to peacebuilding.

(iii)  Gender concerns in conflict transformation and peacebuilding.

(iv) Cultural issues: the importance of cultural awareness in conflict
transformation and social reconstruction; the cultural content of conflict
escalation; the significance of religion, language, gender; the central
importance of 'identity' in the dynamics of contemporary conflicts;

*Participant profile*

The programme is meant for middle and senior level professionals in
government and non-governmental organizations engaged in development work in
general and disaster management in particular.



*Total number of seats*

The programme will admit *only 30* participants.



The *medium of instruction* of the programme is *English*.



*Methodology*

The programme design includes presentations by resource persons followed and
interspersed with spaces for interaction and experience sharing,
problem-solving exercises, group work and film-screenings.



*Resource Persons*

Leading experts from the sector with rich and diverse experience of
organizing such interventions and capacity building programmes will be
invited to facilitate the sessions.

**

*Duration*

The training programme is residential and will be facilitated over 5 full
days *(12th to 16th of April 2010).*



**

**

**

*Fees *

Selected participants will have to pay a registration fees of Rs. 7500,
which will cover costs of food, accommodation, training material and field
trip expenses, if any. Fees are payable by Bank Demand Draft in favour of
'Tata Institute of Social Sciences', payable in Mumbai which are to be
couriered to:

**

*Ms. Evon D'Souza*

*Training Assistant*

*Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management *

*Tata Institute of Social Sciences*

*Malti and Jal A D Naoroji Campus*

*Deonar, Mumbai – 400 088.*

**

*Venue: *

Tata Institute of Social Sciences,

V.N Purav Marg, Deonar,

Mumbai – 400 088

**

*Registration Form*

Aspiring candidates need to fill in and send the *registration form* which
can be downloaded and posted on the TISS address mentioned in the FEES
section or forwarded via e-mail: jtcdmtraining at gmail.com

**

Registration forms need to be accompanied with an updated resume of the
candidate**

**

*Last date for registration – Monday, 31st March, 2010*

**

*Tata Institute of Social Sciences:*

Established in 1936, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has
demonstrated pioneering work in teaching, research, training and field
action in promoting sustainable, equitable and participatory development.
TISS has been involved in voluntary action in response to most national
emergencies in India, the post partition refugee crisis in 1947 being one of
the first such instances.



Consolidating nearly 60 years of work in disasters, the Jamsetji Tata Centre
for Disaster Management (JTCDM) was established with a vision of enhancing
disaster studies in India and working towards a holistic, accountable and
participatory system of disaster response and mitigation. It was inaugurated
by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on the 6th of May, 2006.



*Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management (JTCDM)*

Disaster Management is emerging globally as a full-fledged academic
discipline. Since disaster response has primarily been a practitioner's
domain, its boundaries have been permeable. people from diverse backgrounds
– including relief workers, engineers, social scientists and medical
professionals – have worked in disaster management. This has facilitated the
growth of disaster management as a substantive field. However, as a field of
practice, it demands specialization to meet with the dynamic challenges
posed by disasters and the contexts in which they occur. Recognizing this
the Centre offers a wide variety of educational and training programmes,
undertakes disaster interventions, engages in research, publication and
policy work.



*For queries please call Ms. Evon D’Souza, Training Assistant, JTCDM on
022-25525880 between 10.30 am and 5.30 pm (Mon to Fri except public
holidays)*

**

*OR*

**

*Write to: The Training Coordinator  - jtcdmtraining at gmail.com*

**

*Suggested Terms:*

1.      Payment should be made by Demand Draft in favour of Tata Institute
of Social Sciences, payable at Mumbai and mailed to the above mentioned
address.

2.      Course fee can be paid through bank transfer to Account No.
10895954226, State Bank of India, Deonar Branch, Mumbai.

3.      Registrations without payments will NOT be accepted.

4.      Only 50% fee is refundable in case of cancellation on part of
participant.

5.      Full refund will be given in case of cancellation on part of the
organizers.

6.      Participants need to make their own travel arrangements to and from
the training venue including local conveyance.

7.      Duly filled registration forms along with resume and DD must reach
on or before November 20, 2009.

8.      Accommodation will be offered on a twin-sharing basis only.

9.      Organisers reserve the right to alter course curriculum and of
permitting admission to the programme.

10. Changes in venue and other particulars, if any, will be informed, to the
participants.

11.  Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants who
attend all sessions.