Conflict management

Training background:

The regional ToT programme in Africa was based on a collaboration between FAO’s Livelihood Support Programme and InWent, Capacity Building Germany.

It aimed at creating a pool of resource people capable of providing training in and / or applying natural resource conflict management in Africa.

Training Objectives:

Trainers understand the overall concept of consensual negotiations and have an in-depth knowledge of the role of a third party in mediation and of the mediation process itself. They have learned how to train people in negotiation/mediation through practice.

More specifically, the course aimed to:

• introduce principles of collaborative natural resource management,  sustainable livelihoods approaches (SLA), 
• introduce different conflict management approaches to enable participants to make an informed decision regarding which approach is to their best advantage;
• introduce the principles of consensual negotiations
• outline a process map and to provide tools, which guide facilitators in alternative conflict management processes,
• prepare trainers on their role and responsibilities as future mentors of trainees when they will apply conflict management knowledge and skills in the field.
• Document experiences made in the application of negotiation and mediation techniques in a range of situations to illustrate the scope and limitations of the approach.

Main participants:

Aimed at people from Anglophone African countries who have practical experience in facilitation and training, as well as a background in participatory/collaborative natural resource management in local, national and international agencies, NGOs and governments.

Training Process and Design:

The overall ToT programme was designed as a practical learning experience for trainers. It was followed after about a year by a wrap-up, lessons learning workshop, that also documented experiences and, established a regional network to allow continuous exchange of experiences with training and application of conflict management skills.

Between these two events, trainers conducted training on community-based natural resource conflict management, in their countries and to coach/mentor their trainees. Projects/programs which nominate trainers to this course always indicate their full commitment to implement and to cover the costs of the subsequent in-country trainings. During the in-country trainings, trainers are accompanied and supported by the FAO-LSP international trainer.

Partners:

• InWent, Capacity Building International, Germany
• FAO’s Livelihood Support Programme