Senior Managers' Course in ERW and Mine Action

The Senior Managers’ Course (SMC), organized by the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR) at James Madison University (JMU), brings together senior-level managers from mine action organizations for training in organizational management skills. During the course, sponsored by PM/WRA, participants refine their program management and strategic planning skills, share expertise and exchange best practices in CWD, and develop a professional network for collaboration with colleagues, international experts, JMU faculty, CISR staff, and PM/WRA personnel.

Since 2004, CISR has hosted 10 SMCs at the JMU campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia and held two regional SMCs with local partners abroad. In 2014, CISR worked with the Tajikistan National Mine Action Center (TNMAC) to hold the first regional SMC in Dushanbe. CISR, PM/ WRA, and faculty from the JMU College of Business tailored the course to fit a regional context for programs in South Central Asia. The following year, CISR hosted a Southeast Asia Regional SMC in Vietnam for 30 participants—the largest SMC to date. CISR worked closely with The International Center - Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation in Hanoi and the Association for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in Quang Binh to implement the course, including a series of field visits in Central Vietnam.

In 2016, CISR welcomed the course back to Harrisonburg for the aptly named “Global SMC,” as 21 senior managers from 13 different countries participated in the three-week program at JMU. CISR staff led the instruction in conjunction with JMU faculty, PM/WRA staff, and guest lecturers, delivering sessions on effective management, resource mobilization, and special topics in CWD. CISR also incorporated highly successful modules developed for the regional SMCs, including a panel featuring representatives from donor countries and a roundtable discussion with international nongovernmental organizations working in mine action around the world, both held in Washington, D.C.

SMC participants learn GIS mapping technology in a field project at the 2016 SMC at JMU.

Photo courtesy of CISR.