GRASSROOTS PEACEBUILDING
JANUARY 1 – MARCH 8, 2025
This 9-week online course is an introduction to peace and conflict while examining the nature, effectiveness, and challenges of grassroots peacebuilding.
Grassroots Peacebuilding focuses on the theory, models, and frameworks relevant to peacebuilding and conflict resolution which may be applied in post-conflict situations, humanitarian emergencies, and long- term peacebuilding and reconciliation initiatives. The course uses a wide range of materials in an interactive learning environment. You will be introduced to the latest theories, models, and skills in the context of the most current developments in peacebuilding theory and practice. This course allows for an inquiry of the way in which grassroots initiatives play a role in national peacebuilding practices. As a result, the course explores the tensions that arise between actors from national and international agencies.
We will also dissect the importance of conflict analysis prior to examining theoretical frameworks and practical initiatives of peacebuilding. The course offers you the opportunity to navigate between theory and practice. Oneon-one academic support is provided upon request by participants. You are responsible to communicate with the facilitator for any course related questions or concerns.
Abdul Samad, Community worker
Who can register?
This course is for change-makers of any age or sector questioning the relevance of projects and programs driven by external organizations and focused on communities’ needs and deficits. This includes community builders, government agencies, NGOs, universities, and grant-making organizations. You are a good candidate if you want to explore the value and challenges of bottom-up peacebuilding initiatives in post-conflict communities.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Identify key features and aspects of grassroots peacebuilding;
Examine the challenges to grassroots peacebuilding;
Evaluate the key links between grassroots peacebuilding;
Analyze the effectiveness of grassroots peacebuilding through community initiatives (scenario learning). Participants are required to share their findings and analysis during a 20-minute presentation; and
• Evaluate grassroots peacebuilding – How do we know if our initiatives have peacebuilding or conflict generating impacts?
Time requirement
The live learning sessions will take place from 12:30PM to 2:30PM Universal Time (UTC) on Thursdays.
This is a 7-week course. Participants are expected to spend a minimum of eight hours a week reading, preparing, attending online classes, and completing assignments. A quiet environment with no background noise is suggested. While they are not mandatory, you are strongly encouraged to attend the live sessions. All instructional materials will be in English.
Fees
Tuition for the course is $400. Coady Institute strives to ensure that practitioners and community members working toward community led development around the world have access to its courses. This is made possible through funding provided by many individual and institutional donors. Full bursaries are available for First Nations, Métis and Inuit community members residing in Canada, and members from African Nova Scotian communities and Nova Scotians of African descent.
If you belong to one of these communities and would like to request a full bursary, please reach out to coadyadmit@stfx.ca