Integrating Development and Conflict Transformation

IDCT was an innovative project for Skillshare International in more ways than one. It marked our shift to incorporate peacebuilding - one of the four thematic areas that we prioritised in our 2005-10 Corporate Strategy. It was 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.

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 was 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.

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 were summarised in ‘Reflections on developing a peacebuilding and capacity-building programme’.

IDCT built the capacity of partner organisations in research and advocacy, financial management and fundraising, and leadership. It also contributed to current debates on key issues in conflict transformation and development and helped to bridge the divide between the two fields.

To receive a copy of the IDCT project evaluation and related publications, please contact communications@skillshare.org or download the documents (PDF) here.

Find out more about a unique partnership in Kenya to develop peace building skills among young people following post-election violence and unrest in 2008.

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.

IDCT Publications

During the project, Skillshare International developed a peace building policy which was published in early 2009.  In September 2008, issue 35 of Skillshare News focused on peace building with articles about the IDCT project.  Earlier in the same year, Skillshare International produced a case study documenting collaboration between its partners in Kenya to promote peace after the post-election violence in January 2008.  The case study shows how international development workers played an important role in rebuilding relationships and facilitating dialogue through their placements with COPA and Ngei1 Development Youth Group. Read more.          

Throughout the project, a series of other workshops and training events were organised for project partners and external participants:

• Peace building workshop for the media in Lesotho (2009)
• COPA workshop in Mozambique (2008)
• Report on exchange visit between Kenyan and Ugandan women in Lira-Northern Uganda (2008)
• Peace research methodology course report (Cambodia, 2008)
• First Asia Peacebuilders Forum: exploring Asian Approaches to Peacebuilding – practical insights and reflections (2006)
• Second Asia Peacebuilders Forum (2008 )
• Stakeholders workshop on conflict and conflict resolution in Mara Region (Tanzania, 2008)
• Building Trust and Peace in Nepal (June – December 2007)
• Peace research methodologies course report (2008)

Additional resources produced as part of the IDCT project:

• Understanding Inter-Ethnic Relations and National Identity in Cambodia (2007)
• Action Global: Network Development & Review Process (2007)
• Regional Inter-ethnic Peacebuilding Exposure Visit to Indonesia (2009)
• Towards Another World: Voices from both sides of the Atlantic (2009)
• Report on ACTION Support Centre's Organisational Development Process (2007-9)

Find out more about Responding to Conflict at www.respond.org
Find out more about the ACTS programme and its participants at http://www.globalacts.org