Local Security Governance and Peacebuilding

This course explores the intersection of peacebuilding and local governance in conflict-affected countries. It examines key 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 provides tools to analyse the political, socio-economic context of local violent conflict, root causes, actors, and dynamics. Participants will identify conflict risks, triggers, and opportunities for conflict transformation while applying a gender perspective.

During the training participants will share experiences from peacebuilding and security sector reform in conflict-affected countries. Guided by international experts, they will explore the roles various actors in conflict transformation and peacebuilding including local authorities, informal leaders, civil society, justice, and security actors. Case studies from Libya, Tunisia, Palestine, Congo, Colombia, and Sudan will be discussed, alongside critical assessments the conflict and gender sensitivity of foreign interventions. The programme also includes a visit to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.