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Integrating Development and Conflict Transformation (IDCT)
IDCT is an innovative project for Skillshare International in more ways than one. It marks our shift to incorporate peacebuilding - one of the four thematic areas that we prioritised in our 2005-10 Corporate Strategy. It is also the first large-scale partnership project with Responding To Conflict (RTC), a Birmingham-based not-for-profit organisation with an international reputation in conflict transformation work. Furthermore, the IDCT project contributes to consolidation of Skillshare’s work in East Africa and  expansion in Asia.
ACTS programme participant in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, December 2005. Photo courtesy of Emma Leslie.


Both organisations bring different qualities to the partnership. Skillshare International has experience in capacity-building work with partner organisations in Africa and Asia, while RTC brings its international expertise in conflict transformation. 

A key component of IDCT is the Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS) programme that enables people working for peace, rights and development to pursue a Masters degree in conflict transformation in their own region.

ACTS participants in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, December 2005. Photo courtesy of Emma Leslie.
The course combines advanced peace building skills with academic study and action research, based on practitioners' own ongoing, practical experience of working for change. It is currently offered in two regional centres in Asia and Balkans & Middle East. The first group of ACTS students graduated in 2007; the experience from the first course have been summarised in ‘Reflections on developing a peacebuilding and capacity-building programme’.

IDCT is building capacity of partner organisations in research and advocacy, financial management and fundraising, and leadership.

We hope that the project will also contribute to current debates on key issues in conflict transformation and development and help bridge the divide between the two fields.

Check out the Skillshare News for regular updates on IDCT.


IDCT Partners

Coalition for Peace in Africa (COPA) is a continent-wide network of African practitioners whose mission is to redress the conflict situation in Africa through engagement with conflict and by transforming it in positive ways, by cultivating African approaches that are informed by the lifestyles, traditions and cultures of the people living in Africa. COPA is hosting the ACTS programme in the Horn of Africa, Eastern and Central Africa.

Alliance for Conflict Transformation (ACT) is a network of peace building and conflict resolution practitioners, both individual and institutional. ACT aims to develop and strengthen effective social mechanisms for peace in Cambodia by building the capacity of practitioners in the area of peace and conflict resolution through training workshops, cooperation projects and networking. It works in close co-operation with ACTION Asia, a network of individuals and organisations in Asia committed to action for conflict transformation.

Nansen Dialogue Centre Serbia is part of Nansen Dialogue Network, which comprises eight dialogue centres in the regions of former Yugoslavia, as well as the Nansen Academy in Lillehammer, Norway. The Centre’s mission is, through applying the ideas and skills of dialogue, to empower people who live in conflict situations to contribute to peaceful conflict transformation and democratic development with promotion of human rights.

ACTION for Conflict Transformation is an independent global network of practitioners with its support centre in South Africa, whose goals are building capacity to transform conflicts; empowering communities to take action; and facilitating linkages and learning between practitioners. The above networks, COPA, ACTION Asia and Nansen, are all members.

For more information, contact Lada Zimina, IDCT Programme Co-ordinator.