Capacity Building

Course will enable practitioners and policy makers to develop effective strategies in establishing stable institutions and helping to support a robust civil society in transition environments. Interactive exercises with critical analysis of various case studies will focus on establishing governance and democratic practices in divided societies, and offer a framework that can be applied in unstable, post-conflict environments.
 

The Asia Foundation will release findings from its fifth public opinion poll, "Afghanistan in 2009: A Survey of the Afghan People," the most comprehensive survey conducted in all 34 of Afghanistan’s provinces.

Covers the fundamentals of how to develop and transfer professional capacity in fragile states including: designing and implementing teaching and training programs; recruiting and engaging adult learners; and establishing adequate and effective mentorship programs. Recommended for those whose work includes training, adult education and skills transfer to individuals across sectors in post-conflict environments.

Outlines strategies and distinctive challenges for third-party mediators and other advisors, including countering hate speech and exclusionary policies, engaging religious and tribal leaders, establishing trust through intergroup dialogues, and other measures. Recommended for practitioners whose peacebuilding work requires them to work with religious, ethnic, tribal and minority groups.

In a sign of increasing penetration of peace-related materials into war-torn countries like Afghanistan, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is increasing its translation and dissemination of works into Dari and Farsi, for local usage within zones of conflict.

Speaking at an exclusive event at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) on July 23, 2009, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki kept the door open for continuing the U.S. military presence in his country beyond 2011, when the current Status of Forces Agreement expires. “If Iraqi forces need more training and support, we will reexamine the agreement at that time, based on our own national needs,” the prime minister said through a translator, as he addressed nearly 100 audience members at USIP headquarters in Washington, D.C.

What is the potential for political negotiations and reconciliation to resolve the armed conflict raging on both sides of the Durand Line that separates Afghanistan and Pakistan?

Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister, Rafe Al-Eissawi, on June 10 spoke at a public event at the Institute to deliver his primary message: the U.S. and Iraq need “to move from [a military-based] relationship towards the strategic framework relationship.”