COVID-19 NOTICE
Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, the global edition of the Effective Advising Course is being delivered online. At the moment, we are not delivering any regional editions. Please contact our team at effectiveadvising@interpeace.org if you wish to be alerted with updates about the course, including the next call for applications
Effective Advising in Complex Contexts: Enabling sustainable peace
ABOUT THE COURSE
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.
The regional edition of Interpeace’s Effective Advising Course is aimed at experts and advisors working on a common geographical context and equips them 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.
A team of three experienced facilitators guide the selected 20-25 participants 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 and 5) Change processes and managing resistance.
IS THE COURSE RIGHT FOR YOU?
This course is for professionals from the humanitarian, development, peacebuilding and stabilization fields and focuses on skills and practices that are applicable across sectors.
We welcome participants from non-governmental organisations, governments, international organisations, military, research centres, grassroot organisations or independent experts. Participants advise on a range of domains: technical matters, social change strategies and programmes, policy issues and organizational change processes. Participants work in or on countries wrestling with dynamics of conflict and violence, complex social change, and polarization.
We welcome mid-level to senior level advisors with a range of different backgrounds. One of the course’s success factors is a dynamic mix of participants which creates a unique environment conducive to learning with and from fellow advisors.
Participants are selected following a rigorous selection process to ensure a diversity of participants from different backgrounds, enriching the learning environment and peer-to-peer exchanges.
THE COURSE METHODOLOGY
The three facilitators – Anita Ernstorfer , Nora Refaeil, and Jan Ubels – provide frameworks which advisors can apply to clarify and more consciously address the situations, assignments and challenges they are facing.
The team applies a lively mix of working forms and formats: plenary discussions, group work, individual reflection, case studies and activities to support interactive and creative learning. Together they ensure links between topics, foster an on-going conversation and facilitate a dynamic learning process and a safe group atmosphere.
The course is geared towards adult learning with the creation of an environment encouraging exchange and listening between professional peers. A safe space supports the sharing of the often complex and sensitive challenges participants face.
Case studies are used to highlight the practical application of methodologies discussed. Participants should be ready to prepare, share and discuss issues and scenarios from their own professional experience with the group.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
By the time you finish the course, you will be equipped to:
- Analyse and navigate complex situations and contexts
- Understand and accompany change processes
- Apply select peacebuilding principles and sharpen awareness of the importance of organizational practices and individual behaviours to contribute to sustaining peace
- Understand a variety of advisory roles and consciously navigate them, adapted to task and context
- Apply a range of approaches to become a trusted and effective advisor
- Understand and overcome resistance (contextual, organizational and interpersonal)
- Develop awareness of your personal and interpersonal skills that are central to effective advising in complex contexts
- Be more aware of your behavioural patterns and manage your well-being, energy and creativity
HOW TO APPLY?
Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, no regional edition is being delivered. The global edition of the Effective Advising Course is being delivered online. To be notified of future calls for applications, please contact the course team directly: effectiveadvising@interpeace.org.
This course has been run by Interpeace since 2013, on behalf of the Human Security Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Since 2020, the Effective Advising in Complex Contexts course is sponsored by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Government of Canada
