Trained for peace
The duties of the CPS experts require a well-grounded range of skills. After all, the wide spectrum of activities they are involved in varies from conflict analysis to mediation in peace processes and providing advice to traumatised survivors of violence.
Each executing agency ensures that experts are carefully selected and individually prepared for their assignments overseas, which last several years. As a rule, the training lasts between two and six months, and includes methods of civil conflict resolution, intercultural communication and informative background preparation on the placement area.
It is possible to obtain advance training in civil conflict resolution. In certain circumstances, this may have a beneficial impact on the likelihood of success of an application to work as an expert in the Civil Peace Service.
Training opportunities
The Action Committee Service for Peace (AGDF) provides an overview of the workshops and training sessions in German-speaking countries (www.friedensdienst.de). A joint training federation comprising a number of AGDF members provides courses and specialist seminars in civil, non-violent conflict management. These particularly include KURVE Wustrow - Centre for Training and Networking in Nonviolent Action, the Oekumenische Dienst – Schalomdiakonat [Ecumenical Service for a Ministry of Shalom], the Fränkische Bildungswerk für Friedensarbeit,[Frankish Educational Institute for Peace Work], the Friedenskreis Halle [Halle Peace Group], and the Werkstatt für Gewaltfreie Aktion, [Workshop for Non-Violent Action] Baden.
The Academy for Conflict Transformation in the ForumZFD provides courses, workshops and seminars on sustainable peacebuilding in Germany and abroad. It is a place of learning and a place for the discussion of current issues of peace development, civil conflict management and the Civil Peace Service. In addition to the four-month training courses in English and the ten-week 'Peace Experts/Conflict Consultants' advanced training courses, in English and German, there are a variety of one to three-day training courses available. The current, fundamental issues relating to peace development and policies are discussed in lectures and symposiums.
The Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR) provides various courses with a regional focus on Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and the OSCE area.
The English Institution, Responding to Conflict, organises a ten-week course for English-speaking practicians 'Working with Conflict', as well as a one-week course, 'Strengthening Policy and Practice'.
