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Conservation Conflict Resolution

This course focuses on approaches to cultivating sustainable conservation solutions, including determining root causes of complex conflict dynamics, designing decision-making processes to address conflict, and building mutual respect and trust among stakeholders. Employing principles and strategies developed and taught by conflict specialists from the Human-Wildlife Conflict Collaboration (HWCC), participants learn to resolve current conservation conflicts, anticipate arising ones, and reconcile old conflicts that impede new progress.

This course teaches:

  • The principles and theory behind effective conflict resolution processes and the role of neutral facilitation in conflict prevention and mitigation efforts
  • An understanding of conflict dynamics, by applying proven conflict analysis models and tools to actual and hypothetical conflict case studies
  • An understanding of the role of identity in conflict, and how values and beliefs affect our experience of conflict
  • An understanding of our reactions to conflict and how to develop strategies for more effective responses to conflict
  • How to strategize different processes for addressing conflict in conservation
  • The skills needed to analyze and develop a conflict resolution plan to address a specific conflict situation

By the conclusion of this course, participants will:

  • Be able to apply the principles, theory, skills, and practices they’ve learned to conflict situations in their own lives and work
  • Have developed a site-specific strategic plan for analyzing and addressing a conflict situation of their choosing
  • Have co-created an ongoing peer-to-peer consultation network with their cohort and course instructors
  • Be able to design multi-stakeholder processes for addressing conflict and co-creating sustainable conservation solutions

Dates

January 16-20, 2012

Location

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia

Application Procedures and Course Costs

Application Deadline: November 18, 2011
Payment Deadline: November 21, 2011

Conservation Conflict Resolution is offered through the Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Program. Applications may be submitted for either Continuing Education Units (professional training) or for graduate credits (graduate training), as described below. Those applying for graduate credit must complete additional course requirements before credit is awarded.

For professional training (non-credit) application and registration:

Please download and complete the application form and send the completed form along with the necessary supporting materials (CV, reference letter, personal statement) as attachments to SCBITraining@si.edu. Use the subject line: "Conservation Conflict Resolution: Professional Training."

Further instructions for registration and payment will follow for those accepted to attend the course.

This professional training course costs $1,500. The fee includes instruction and course materials, plus meals and lodging. All other travel costs and incidental expenses are the participant’s responsibility.

Professional training course participants earn three Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

For graduate training application and registration (George Mason University graduate credit):

Please email SCBITraining@si.edu with the subject "Conflict Resolution: Graduate Credit."

This two-credit graduate course costs $2,000 for in-state (Virginia) students, and $2,500.50 for out-of-state students. The fee includes instruction and course materials, plus meals and lodging. All other travel costs and incidental expenses are the participant’s responsibility.

For More Information

Email SCBItraining@si.edu.

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