Menu

United States Institute of Peace

Conflict Sensitivity in Peacebuilding

Print the Page

This introductory course provides an overview of conflict sensitivity and explains why organizations must institutionalize conflict sensitivity training and approaches. This course is relevant to anyone seeking to learn about conflict sensitivity, and we've developed the course materials with a broad and diverse audience in mind. However, most of the strategies we introduce are for peacebuilding project teams and organizations working in conflict-affected contexts.

Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo runs gender advocacy programs that are conflict sensitive (Photo: United Nations).
Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo runs gender advocacy programs that are conflict sensitive. (Photo: United Nations)

This course features a new tool created by the U.S. Institute of Peace. The Conflict Sensitivity Tool provides guidance around questions to ask throughout the different stages in the project lifecycle; however, we anticipate that the Tool will be updated in the future as new research emerges.

Learning objectives:

  • Explain the importance of conflict sensitivity for programming.
  • Distinguish key conflict-sensitive principles and practices.
  • Evaluate when, where, and how conflict sensitivity should be applied in the project lifecycle by using the USIP Conflict Sensitivity Tool.
  • Design programming that applies conflict-sensitive approaches throughout the project lifecycle.

If you cannot view the video, click here to watch it on YouTube.

Agenda

Introduction

This section introduces the core components of conflict sensitivity and why it is important for individuals and organizations working in conflict-affected contexts.

Pillars

This section explains the multi-dimensional nature of conflict sensitivity, including the role of positionality and power, institutionalization, and project integration. It also introduces USIP's Conflict Sensitivity Tool. The tool is intended to help project managers and designers address project outcomes that could exacerbate tension.

Planning

This section outlines how to use USIP's Conflict Sensitivity Tool during the planning phase of a program or project lifecycle.

Implementation and Close Out

This section outlines how to use USIP's Conflict Sensitivity Tool to assist with conflict-sensitive project implementation and decision-making practices. It ends with a presentation about conflict-sensitive evaluation mechanisms and how to apply them during project closeout.

Application

This section allows learners to see how conflict sensitivity is applied in real-life projects and to reflect on ways practitioners and organizations can improve their practice.

Conclusion

The concluding section provides an opportunity for self-assessment and a chance to earn a certificate.

Instructors and Guest Experts

Instructors

  • Amanda Blair, Ph.D., Senior Program Officer, U.S. Institute of Peace
  • Marcia Mundt, Ph.D., Program Officer, U.S. Institute of Peace

Guest Experts

Related Publications

China’s Dilemmas Deepen as North Korea Enters Ukraine War

China’s Dilemmas Deepen as North Korea Enters Ukraine War

Thursday, November 14, 2024

By: Carla Freeman, Ph.D.;  Naiyu Kuo

Until late October, the big questions about China’s role in the Ukraine conflict centered around whether Beijing would choose to expand its support for Russia to include lethal aid, or if it might engage in more active peacemaking to end the conflict. Then, on November 4, the Pentagon confirmed that North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk oblast, where Ukraine had captured some territory earlier this year. Days later, the State Department confirmed that North Korean soldiers had begun fighting Ukrainian troops.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Global Policy

How Should Seoul Respond to North Korea's Soldiers in Russia?

How Should Seoul Respond to North Korea's Soldiers in Russia?

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

By: Lami Kim

The Ukraine war is taking a new turn with the involvement of North Korean soldiers. Washington estimates that, so far, North Korea has sent approximately 10,000 troops to Russia — around 8,000 of whom have been deployed to the western region of Kursk, where Ukraine seized territory in a surprise attack earlier this year. And as U.S. officials predicted in late October, North Korean troops have reportedly begun engaging in direct combat.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

Australia’s Strategic Thinking on the War in Ukraine, NATO, and Indo-Pacific Security

Australia’s Strategic Thinking on the War in Ukraine, NATO, and Indo-Pacific Security

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

By: Gorana Grgić

Russia’s war against Ukraine has spurred closer cooperation between Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific states and organizations, particularly Australia and NATO, signaling a deepening of ties that could have long-term benefits for global security. Over the long term, writes security expert Gorana Grgić, such alignment is crucial for signaling to potential aggressors that global coalitions are prepared to respond. This report analyzes Australia’s response in order to examine Canberra’s strategic thinking with respect to cross-theater cooperation, and it offers recommendations for US, NATO, and Australian policymakers.

Type: Special Report

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Global Policy

Many Ways to Fail: The Costs to China of an Unsuccessful Taiwan Invasion

Many Ways to Fail: The Costs to China of an Unsuccessful Taiwan Invasion

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

By: Lonnie Henley

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be an extremely difficult military, complex operation. China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been thinking seriously since the early 2000s about what such a landing would require. For over two decades, its force development efforts have been focused on the weapons, equipment, doctrine and operational concepts required to conquer the island in the face of full U.S. military intervention. The PLA has made considerable progress toward that goal and may deem itself fully capable by the 2027 force development target set by Xi Jinping.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

View All Publications