Peaceworks 29

Training to Promote Conflict Management
USIP-Assisted Training Projects

Edited by David Smock

This publication highlights some of the training programs supported by Institute grants in recent years and shares lessons gleaned from these projects. The training projects described in this report took place in China, countries of the former Yugoslavia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia/Somaliland, and southeastern Europe; two other projects had worldwide scope. These projects had a variety of purposes and used training to achieve several different ends. Lessons gleaned from these projects have wide application. These lessons will inform the future programs of the organizations described here, and by sharing these lessons, the Institute hopes they will have broader utility. One of the recurrent criticisms of an earlier generation of international training in conflict management is that it depended too heavily on U.S. models and experience, showing little sensitivity to local needs and realities. Some trainers were criticized for parachuting in to new places for brief periods without taking the time to make local adaptations. But it is clear from the projects reported here that the best of the current generation of trainers are very sensitive to these earlier failings.

Peaceworks reports are available in PDF format. In order to access the reports you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Download a PDF of the complete report (481K)