Conflict Rule of Law and Local Security

Local Security Governance and Peacebuilding

Introduction

The course focuses on the intersection of peacebuilding and local governance in countries affected by violent conflict. It addresses critical questions such as: How can local authorities, security actors, and civil society contribute to human security and peacebuilding? And how can peacebuilding programmes be consistently conflict-sensitive and avoid causing harm?

The course includes a pre-training, online learning module. It contains tools for analysing the political, socio-economic context of local violent conflict, as well as root causes, actors and dynamics. Participants will identify conflict risks, triggers, and conflict transformation opportunities. Additionally, they will work with future scenarios while applying a gender perspective.

Following the online module, participants will share their experiences with peacebuilding and security sector reform programmes in conflict-affected countries during a one-week in-person training. Under the guidance of international experts, they will reflect on the roles of various actors in conflict transformation and peacebuilding including local authorities, informal local leaders, civil society, justice and security actors. Cases of local peacebuilding and transitional justice programmes will be presented from a.o. Libya, Tunisia, Palestine, Congo, Colombia and Sudan. Participants furthermore critically assess the conflict and gender sensitivity of foreign interventions. The programme includes a visit to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Key Information

This course is designed for practitioners in peacebuilding, stabilization, security sector reform, and related fields. In order to deepen their understanding of the role of local actors in peacebuilding and security sector governance, participants will learn how to effectively engage them.

The course will take place in The Hague from 17 February 2025 to 21 February 2025.

The course fee is € 2,500. This includes all training related costs as well as drinks and warm lunches during the training days. Group discounts are available if you participate with three or more colleagues.

This training takes place in The Hague, Netherlands.

After this course, participants will receive a professional certificate of completion from The Hague Academy for Local Governance.

Learning objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Develop peacebuilding programmes that are more gender- and conflict-sensitive;

Effectively engage local authorities and informal local leaders in peacebuilding and stabilisation programmes;

Foster cooperation between security, justice and civil society actors at the local level;

Design strategies and interventions using future scenario planning;

Access a network of experts and practitioners in their field of work to continue broadening their knowledge.

 

Experience

This course includes study visits to organisations that work on security at different levels. During the visit to the International Criminal Court (ICC), you have a chance to learn how it deals with international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. You will also discuss its impact on peace and security.

Additionally, the course explores the Dutch regional security cooperation structures. Together with experts and fellow practictioners, discuss examples of local government joining forces with the local police and citizens, to promote social cohesion and prevent conflict in their neighbourhoods.

Practical information

Find the practical information for the course here.

  • Payment

    After submitting your completed application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt. Once we have assessed your application and admitted you to the course, we will send you an invoice with payment details.

    Payments can be made by bank transfer or by PayPal request. We offer the option of paying in one or two instalments. An advance payment of 50% secures the reservation of a seat at the training until the payment deadline. Your participation in the course is guaranteed only after receipt of full payment.

    Please note that The Hague Academy accepts registrations on a first-paid, first-served policy.

  • Visa Applications

    Some countries require a visa to enter the Netherlands. Please check with The Netherlands or the embassy for the visa requirements related to your country. Because of the length of time needed for the visa procedure, we advise you to start this process as soon as possible. Once we have received your payment for the course, The Hague Academy will send you an acceptance letter which will assist you in arranging your visa to The Netherlands.

  • Cancellation

    Under certain circumstances, participants may need to cancel their participation in the course. For cancellations before the payment deadline, we will reimburse the paid amounts minus an administration fee of €150.

    To prevent late cancellation, we strongly encourage you to start with your visa application procedure at least six weeks before the start of the training programme.

    We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% of the course fee for participants cancelling between four and two weeks prior to the start of the training. If you cancel your participation within the two-week period before the start of the course, then you have to pay 80% of the course fee.

    It is always possible to nominate a suitably qualified candidate to replace you without extra charge, in the event that you cannot attend the course.

    The Hague Academy for Local Governance reserves the right to cancel a course if the number of participants is insufficient or due to any other unforeseen circumstances. In this case, your payment will be 100% reimbursed. Other costs such as transportation or hotel cannot be reimbursed.

Scholarships

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers the Middle East and Northern Africa Scholarship Programme (MSP) that aims to enhance the skills and abilities of professionals in the public service, empowering them to strengthen democracy in their country. If you are a civil servant from one of the following countries, please proceed to the Scholarships page and follow the instructions to apply. 

The countries that are currently eligible to receive the MSP scholarship are: Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman and Tunisia.

For more detailed information and eligibility criteria, please visit our Scholarships page. Note that scholarships have a separate application process.

Scholarships page

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