Course: Natural Resources Management in Post-conflict Countries (Deadline: 17 September)
Sep 24, 2014
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United Nations Institute for Training and Research
Web-based
Natural resources can play a central role in building sustainable peace in post-conflict societies. The root causes of many conflicts are directly related to or fuelled by valuable natural resources, and the transition to peace in fragile post-conflict societies often requires careful consideration of natural resource management. Using case studies, the course focuses on how resources can be managed to eliminate conflict risks and potential obstacles to peace, and draws attention to how natural resource management can support peacekeeping, broader peacebuilding interventions, confidence-building measures, and overall state building
Course: Natural resources management in post-conflict countries
Date: 24 Sep - 22 Oct 2014
Duration of event: 4 weeks
Location: web-based
Programme area: Peacekeeping
Fee: USD 500
Please note that UNITAR PTP awards a limited numbers of fellowships to applicants from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). You might wish to refer the UN-OHRLLS list at: http://unohrlls.org/about-ldcs/
Website: www.unitar.org/ptp
Event focal point email: ptp@unitar.org
Deadline for registration: 17 September 2014
Event Objectives
The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the role natural resources play in conflict environments, illustrating both positive and negative situations where natural resources have an impact on a conflict and – conversely - how the environment is impacted by conflict. The course also explores the different methods for using natural resources as entry points for building peace and strengthening governance, before giving an overview of how natural resources can be integrated into community recovery programmes. Finally, it looks at the technologies, practices and habits that can be implemented to ensure that peacekeeping missions have a minimal impact on the local environment.
Learning Objectives
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Describe how natural resources can contribute to or prolong conflict as well as undermine peace;
- Identify the principles for effective post-conflict natural resources management;
- Relate natural resources management to other post-conflict stabilization and state building interventions;
- Explain how peacekeeping missions can benefit from green technologies and practices for water, energy and waste.
Content and Structure
The course is composed of four modules that will be covered over four weeks:
- Module 1: From conflict to peacebuilding: the role of natural resources and the environment
- Module 2: Dealing with conflict resources: getting mandates, monitoring and management right
- Module 3: More effective community recovery programmes: capitalizing on natural resource opportunities
- Module 4: A lighter footprint: increasing the self-reliance and reducing the impact of peace operations
The average workload per week is estimated at 8 hours per week.
Methodology
The key concepts of each module are introduced by lessons and are applied through the scenario-based activities. These scenarios are based on real-life situations which allow participants to work on challenges they are likely to face in their workplace.
Participants are also required to work on case studies in order to gain a deeper understanding of natural resource management in various peacekeeping contexts.
In order to facilitate collective knowledge construction and experience sharing among the participants, learners take part in active discussions with their peers.
Facilitators guide participants through this process, delivering and conveying information, clarifying doubts and supporting participants through different activities.
Targeted Audience
Primary audience
The course is designed for national and regional military and police personnel of every rank and function serving or interested in serving in peace operations.
Secondary audience
The course also addresses a broad audience of civilians, from international and regional organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, universities and research centres working or interested in working with peace operations.
Participants are not expected to have prior experience in or knowledge of natural resource management. However, as this is an advanced course, participants must:
- Have a sound understanding of the structure and functioning of a peace operation;
- Have a university degree in a relevant area with proven interest in the topic covered by the course (BA or equivalent) or the equivalent working experience in a relevant field (2 to 4 years);
- Have good command of English language (reading and writing);
- Be computer literate.