PreviousNext Practitioner Trainings We offer 5-day practitioner trainings in English on the important topics related to civil nonviolent conflict transformation. The trainings are hands-on and are tailored to the specific needs of the participants. The participants are supported by experienced trainers and can not only deepen their knowledge but also share their own experiences. They empower and connect with each other. The new flyer is out! Link to the Flyer Febr-March 2024 Link to the application form 2024 Online Application for our Practitioner Trainings in Presence in Febr/March 2024 Apply now Dates Venue Audience Currently, we offer a series of seven practitioner trainings in Oct/Nov 2023 as well as in Febr/March 2024, which can be booked individually or in combination. Seminar house of KURVE Wustrow in Wustrow (Wendland) The participants are activists and staff of non-governmental organisations or initiatives, who promote nonviolence, peace and justice. They apply the acquired knowledge in their practical work and share it with others in their own contexts. Topics and Dates Anti-Bias and Social Inclusion Dates: 16.–20.10.2023 in presence 04.-08.11.2024 in presence Objectives Participants are able to reflect upon and express their own role in processes of exclusion and inclusion at personal, interpersonal and structural levels in a global context to critically reflect on the role of prejudices, power inequalities and ideologies in peace work and to begin to develop strategies to counter their negative effects to explain and build upon the anti-bias and social inclusion approach in their own work context Peace Work aims at establishing and nurturing inclusive societies that provide equal access to social, political and economic resources to all – irrespective of their ethnic origin, age, gender, physical or mental condition, religious background, sexual orientation, etc. The training introduces the concepts of Anti-Bias and Social Inclusion. It aims at strengthening respect for diversity and creating awareness for discrimination and social exclusion. Participants will reflect how they themselves are involved and/or affected by the social/global power relations. They will learn how to initiate processes of prejudice awareness that motivate and equip individuals, groups and institutions to critically confront their discriminatory attitudes and actions, and thus develop sustainable empowering structures. Trainers Cvetka Bovha Prasad Reddy Applying Do No Harm Dates: this issue takes place online in 2023 and 2024 Objectives Participants are able to apply the Do No Harm tool to a real project to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Do No Harm approach in comparison with other tools they know to integrate Do No Harm into existing project management procedures We want to do good, but might do harm instead. How can we avoid doing harm? The Do No Harm approach was developed by many practitioners engaged in development work and humanitarian assistance to give an answer to this question. Nowadays it is used by many organisations, also particularly in peace and human rights work. In this training the Do No Harm tool will first be presented by the trainers using a case study. Then participants will be supported in applying the tool to their own projects. In a confidential setting (based on Chatham House rules) the critical details of the project design will be identified and options for a conflict sensitive and effective re-design will be developed. The training is relevant for all who coordinate projects and intend to apply the Do No Harm tool to their own – which might be projects with a focus on peacebuilding, development or humanitarian assistance. Trainers Wolfgang Heinrich Jochen Neumann Beratung im Kontext gewaltfreier Konflikttransformation und sozialer Bewegungen +++ in German language only +++ +++ in German language only +++ Termine: dieses Thema findet 2024 online statt Ziele Die Teilnehmenden haben sich mit der Vielfalt dessen auseinandergesetzt, was „Beratung“ bedeuten kann. Haltungen und deren Ausdruck reflektiert, die für Beratungsrollen relevant sind, insbesondere für Beratung in sozialen Bewegungen und kultursensiblen Kontexten. Methoden und Instrumente erlernt und geübt, die sie in Beratungstätigkeiten nutzen können. Beratung kann in unterschiedlichen Arbeitszusammenhängen genutzt werden und bietet viele verschiedene Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten. In diesem Fachseminar beleuchten wir unterschiedliche Kontexte und Rollen, in denen Beratung flexibel eingesetzt werden kann sowie Beratungsmethodik und Phasen der Beratung in Einzel- und Gruppensettings. In der Beratungsmethodik beziehen wir uns insbesondere auf systemische Beratung, sowie achtsamkeitsbasierte Ansätze aus den kontextuellen Verhaltenswissenschaften (z.B. ACT). In der KURVE Wustrow liegt uns eine kultur-, kontext- und konfliktsensible Beratung in sozialen Bewegungen und in anderen Kulturen am Herzen. Daher nimmt die Reflexion von Haltungen und der beraterischen Beziehung eine besondere Rolle ein. Wir schaffen außerdem Raum für die Auseinandersetzung mit der Frage, wie Berater*innen nicht nur für den beraterischen Prozess, sondern auch sich selbst sorgen können. Trainer*innen Thimna Bunte Harald Weishaupt Campaigning for Nonviolent Change Dates: 19.-23.02.2024 in presence This issue will eventually also take place online in 2024. Objectives Participants are able to facilitate the planning process of a nonviolent campaign in their own contexts; to select creative forms of actions for successful and sustainable campaigns. Successful nonviolent movements are not just reacting on their opponents, but use operational planning and develop campaigns to put their activists on the offensive. The training will focus on the planning process for a nonviolent campaign: How to pick the right campaign and formulate demands? How can we plan and then handle dynamics of political campaigning? Can we find consensus for „nonviolent discipline“, and how to make everyone do the right thing at the right time? How to develop creative actions and create strong images? How should we communicate with authorities and opponents, and lead negotiations? How do we ensure sustainable change after the campaign is over? The training is for activists, organisers and leaders as well as peacebuilders and trainers involved in nonviolent movements, who want to plan and coordinate successful nonviolent campaigns and/or facilitate others to do so. Trainers Thimna Bunte Hilal Demir Dealing with the Past Date: 12.-16.02.2024 in presence Objectives Participants are able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of selected processes of dealing with the past to find their own answers to key questions related to dealing the past processes Violent conflicts lead to numerous injustices and leave scars on a society. These injustices are often degenerating into new patterns of violence seeking justification in the past. A vicious circle. Dealing with a violent past in a constructive manner is at the core of peacebuilding. It is a precondition to reconciliation. However, there are many different ways – ranging from impunity and general amnesty to national truths commissions and international courts of justice. Such processes invoke questions such as: Why punishments, why amnesty? Is there collective guilt / responsibility? How to deal with collective memory and opposing versions of truth and history? Who is a victim, what is victimisation? The trainers will offer insights into the processes they have been involved in. But foremost we will seek for answers and foster re-questioning. Trainers from Center for Nonviolent Action/Serbia Defending Human Rights Dates: 30.10.-03.11.2023 in presence This issue will also take place online in 2023 and 2024. Objectives Participants are able to gain an insights into the concept of human rights and an overview of selected international and regional human rights instruments; to formulate their own standpoint on the universality of human rights; to identify potential strategies for defending human rights in their own context. Human rights matter for peace work in at least three different ways. The denial of human rights can be a cause for conflict. Violent conflict often goes along with gross human rights violations. And human rights can serve as a vision for a just and peaceful society in a post-conflict setting. In this training we uncover the origin(s) of human rights, give an overview of the most important international and regional human rights standards and apply these to selected case studies of human rights violations. Furthermore we will discuss the universality of human rights from different perspectives. We will share examples how human rights are effectively claimed and defended and how human rights defenders can be protected. The training is relevant for all who want to gain a better understanding of the concept of human rights and who want to defend human rights or protect human rights defenders. Trainers Daniel Ó Clunaigh Santiago Zuleta Digital Security Dates: this issue will take place online in 2023 11.-15.03.2024 in presence Objectives Participants are able to identify and respond to emerging risks to the sensitive information they manage in their work; maintain and improve the basic security of their digital devices and accounts; in accordance with their necessities, understand and implement advanced tools to protect their data storage and communication. This training will create awareness and support capacity-building which is relevant to the digital security of the participants. Peace activists will be enabled to do the risk self-assessment related to their own information management. They will gain insights into personal and organisational strategies on digital security concerning computers, internet and mobile/smart phones. Participants will learn about secure behaviours and tools to use for maintenance of devices, safer storage and recovery of sensitive information, and more secure communication. Trainers Marianne Koch Peter Steudtner Facilitation and Training Skills Date: 14.-18.10.2024 in presence Objectives Participants are able to assess their own strengths and weaknesses as a facilitator of trainings for adults; to better design trainings that are based on key principles of adult learning and the concept of Action Learning. Facilitation skills are essential for everyone who wants to work with people and support communication processes. Training is a very sophisticated form of communication and is aimed at facilitating learning. Participants will gain an overview of learning theories, principles of adult learning and a selection of training concepts like Action Learning and Comfort Zones. Moreover, the design of this training will be critically reflected in order to assist participants in designing and conducting trainings themselves. Additionally participants will get an opportunity to demonstrate their skills as a facilitator including a video recording for self-reflection and if requested with feedback from trainers. Trainers Jochen Neumann Wilma Raabe Facilitation of Conflicts Dates: 05.-09.02.2024 in presence OBJECTIVES Participants are able • to analyse a conflict with its differences and animosities • to select the relevant and appropriate tools for their facilitation of conflicts • to support articulating needs and values and generating cooperative solutions. In this training we will deal with effective ways to transform conflicts within or between groups.Participants will gain insights into selected tools and have the opportunity to practice and apply these tools to their own projects and/or case studies. Participants will assess the strengths and weaknesses of these tools in order to choose and adapt the most adequate ones. This training course addresses activists, staff of NGOs and peace workers who need to facilitate conflicts within their work. Trainers Silke Freitag Marianne Koch Holistic Security Dates: 09.-13.10.2023 in presence 04.-08.03.2024 in presence 30.09.-04.10.2024 in presence OBJECTIVES Participants are able • to carry out in-depth risk and context analysis to improve their personal and organisational security practices • to create basic security plans and protocols for common or high-risk aspects of their work and activism • to know and choose secure practices and tools according to their own situation and capacity Activists and peace workers face many risks depending on their contexts. This training combines physical, psychosocial and digital elements of security and care with security planning and management into an integrated approach. It will stimulate participants to think critically and act to improve the security of themselves, their communities, and families with the objective of “well-being in action”. Based on the Holistic Security Approach, this training enables participants to reframe security into community-care and self-care within their contexts, collectives and organisations to face different forms of repression and violence. Trainers Marianne Koch Peter Steudtner Nonviolent Conflict Transformation Dates: 02.-06.10.2023 in presence 28.10.-01.11.2024 in presence this issue takes also place online in 2024 Objectives Participants are able to understand the approach of nonviolent conflict transformation; to identify and understand the need for nonviolent action to confront injustices; to gain an overview of the wide range of nonviolent means Peace work is often associated with “classic” peacemaking approaches like negotiations and mediation. Such methods can lead to sustainable solutions and a de-escalation of conflict. However, in order for them to be successful, there has to be a certain degree of power balance between parties and awareness for the root causes of conflict. To create such pre-conditions, nonviolent direct action can be a tool to raise awareness, mobilise people and confront injustice. The training addresses people who are or want to become peace or movement workers. Participants will study the basic concepts of nonviolent conflict transformation based on Diana Francis, including definitions of violence and peace by Johan Galtung as well as means of nonviolent action as described by Gene Sharp and others. Trainers Jochen Neumann Laura Weber Project Management Dates: 13.-17.11.2023 in presence 18.-22.03.2024 in presence 11.-15.11.2024 in presence This issue also takes place online in 2023 and 2024. Objectives Participants are able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of selected project management approaches and tools; to select the relevant and appropriate tools for their project context; to apply key elements of selected project management tools. Peace work needs proper planning, monitoring and evaluation in order to be able to contribute positively towards conflict transformation. In this training we will deal with questions about effective ways to promote peace and respective tools are offered to find valid answers. These approaches and tools range from Outcome Mapping to „Do No Harm“ and “Reflecting on Peace Practice”. Participants will gain insights into selected tools and have the opportunity to apply these tools to their own projects and/or case studies. Participants will assess the strengths and weaknesses of these tools in order to choose and adapt the right tools for managing their peace projects. The training is relevant for all who intend to engage in or are already in a position to coordinate peace projects. Trainers Gesa Bent Kerstin Gollembiewski Jochen Neumann Realising Gender Equity Dates: 26.02.-01.03.2024 in presence Objectives Participants are able to understand the basic concept of gender sensitivity in civil society organisations and activists' movements; to identify in which ways gender is relevant for themselves in their context; to plan concrete steps for advancing a safer space and gender sensitive mainstreaming. In this training, we will look at power differences from a gender perspective. Social norms are interacting with power issues and shape society's understanding of 'men' and 'women' and their 'appropriate' roles at work and in the public sphere. A more just society relies on gender-sensitive civil society organisations. This training, therefore, will look at the relevance of 'gender' on an individual and organisational level. Together we will develop an organisation-specific plan for creating a momentum of change and a plan for transformation. Trainers Lihi Levian Joffe Fida Nara Security Management Dates: currently not scheduled Objectives Participants are able to apply a security management framework and so advance; organisational security management to apply selected risk and context analysis tools and develop security guidelines. Peace workers face threats not only because of where they work but also because of what type of work they do. This training aims at proactively managing security on an organisational level while touching aspects of personal security. Therefore coordination or management level staff of NGOs and others who are responsible for security of fieldworkers or activists will benefit most. The training is structured alongside a security management framework that can also be used for advancing organisational security later on. We work with inputs, examples, exercises and small group work. The training also includes a crisis management simulation and smaller roleplays. The training will focus on creating policies, programmes and practices that make peace work and activism safer. Trainers Tanya Spencer N.N. Strategising Nonviolent Change For Social Movements Dates: 06.–10.11.2023 in presence 07.-11.10.2024 in presence This issue also takes place online in 2023. Objectives Participants are able to apply selected tools for the analysis of social conflicts in their own contexts to act more strategically, i.e. formulating goals, steps and demands of nonviolent social movements as well as managing risks and opportunities From Gandhi to the “Arab Spring”, from the anti-nuclear movement to the struggle for… The training will offer a “guided tour” through cycles and dynamics of strategising processes in nonviolent movements. We will use a variety of practice-oriented analytical and strategic tools, with many application exercises on participants’ own case studies. Coaching elements will be used to tailor the trainings to the needs and interests of the participants, so that they will leave with a practical toolkit for further action. Special emphasis will be given to not just develop grand plans, but to deal with chaos and risks, opportunities and repression, and how to build strategic alliances, in order to turn inevitable failures and shortcomings into long lasting success. Trainers Thimna Bunte Hilal Demir Stress and Trauma Sensitivity in Peacebuilding. The Example of Sexualised Violence as a Human Rights Violation Dates: 23.-27.10.2023 in presence 21.-25.10.2024 in presence Objectives Participants are able to understand the meaning of stress, trauma as well as stress and trauma sensitivity in the context of peacebuilding to understand the impact of different forms of violence and power dynamics on trauma (intersectional perspective) to reflect on how stress and trauma can affect themselves in their role as well as teams and organisations The stress- and trauma-sensitive approach (STA) by medica mondiale is at the heart of this training. Participants learn about trauma sensitivity in a stress and trauma sensitive learning atmosphere. Self-care is woven into the training process as a crosscutting element. The STA approach also provides a practical orientation to put into practice stress and trauma sensitive peacebuilding with target groups, partners, staff (members), teams and organisations. This includes the impact of trauma dynamics on staff and teams. In our training, we provide guidance how organisations, projects and individual practitioners can integrate trauma sensitivity into their activities, programmes and organisational structures. Trainers Pia Frohwein Sabiha Husić Costs and Application Fee The course fee is 1.800,– Euro for organisations 1.200,– Euro for individuals 1.000,– Euro reduced fee for individuals (upon request) The course fee covers training material, vegetarian full board and lodging from Monday to Friday (dormitory style; single room supplement available for 10,00 Euro per day) in the seminar house of KURVE Wustrow. If lack of funds is an obstacle to your participation, please let us know. Depending on availability of funds, we may be able to offer reductions on the participation fee or cover your travel expenses partially. Application Applications should reach us as early as possible. We provide the application form for the respective training series in due time on our website. People in need of a visa and/or financial assistance should apply at least 12 weeks before the training series starts. All other should apply at least 8 weeks before the training series starts. Unfortunately, we cannot accept late or incomplete applications. Please note For people in need of visa, contact the German Embassy or Consulate as early as possible to find out the conditions for receiving a visa. We will support you with an official invitation and cover the health insurance during your stay. All other documents must be produced by you. Post-Trainings Support We consider post-training support as an essential part of the learning process in order to fully understand the contents of the training, to develop new skills and to adapt the methods presented in a training to the local context and specific needs of the participant. Thus, for all our practitioner trainings we offer some follow-up support to participants by one or all trainers. Usually the support is from a distance and accordingly will be based on means of communication like email, messenger, video conference or the like. However, making use of the post-training support offered is optional for participants. Online Application for our Practitioner Trainings in Presence in Febr/March 2024 Apply now Downloads Flyer KURVE Wustrow Practitioner Trainings in Presence Febr March 2024120.17 KB KURVE Wustrow Seminar Progr 2023_243.68 MB Contact Persons Kerstin Lange ppt [at] kurvewustrow [dot] org (ppt(at)kurvewustrow.org) In our media library you'll find info material, publications, videos and much more Catch up now