UNITAR Online Catalogue

Transitional justice and peacebuilding [PTP.2013.08E]

Deadline
2 Jan 2013
Type
Course
Location
Web-based
Date
to
Duration
5 Weeks
Programme Area
Peacekeeping
Website
http://www.unitar.org/ptp
Price
$600.00
Event Focal Point Email
ptp@unitar.org

Background

With the increasing call for and formation of truth commissions, trials, and other justice mechanisms worldwide, the concept of ‘transitional justice’ has become widespread. Peacebuilding actors face immense challenges when assisting societies devastated by conflict or emerging from repressive rule to re-establish the rule of law and confront large-scale human rights violations. The United Nations has acquired significant experience in transitional justice in these contexts and has demonstrated that reconciliation and consolidation of peace in the long-term necessitates the establishment or re-establishment of an effective administrative and justice system founded on respect for the rule of law and the protection of human rights.

Event Objectives

The goal of the course Transitional Justice and Peacebuilding is to present the concept of transitional justice in peacebuilding contexts, providing a holistic overview of current strategies and mechanisms, their nature and practical application, and the challenges and lessons learned associated to their implementation in post-conflict settings.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Define the broad concept of transitional justice and its role in peacebuilding contexts;
  • Articulate the reasons for taking a holistic approach to transitional justice;
  • List and discuss the different transitional justice mechanisms and strategies using practical case examples and broad theories;
  • Relate transitional justice mechanisms to other peacebuilding activities; and
  • Identify best practices, lessons learned and the way forward in transitional justice.

Content and Structure

The course is composed of four modules that will be covered over four weeks:

  • Module 1: Introduction to transitional justice
  • Module 2: Taking a holistic approach to transitional justice
  • Module 3: Transitional justice mechanisms and strategies
  • Module 4: Linkages with other peacebuilding activities and way forward
This course requires intensive work throughout the weeks. The average workload is 8 to 10 hours per week.

Methodology

The course covers the conceptual foundations of transitional justice, through lessons and a range of resource materials such as journal articles and UN documents. Participants are required to perform analytical exercises such as conduct research, write reports and essays. In order to create collective knowledge and to facilitate interaction and experience sharing among participants, discussion forums are organized.
 
Participants will be assessed based on the quality of their work in the analytical exercises as well as their participation in the discussion forums.
 
Facilitators guide participants through this process, delivering and conveying information, clarifying doubts and supporting participants through different activities.

Targeted Audience

Primary audience

The course is designed for national and regional military and police personnel of every rank and function serving or interested in serving in peace operations.
 
Secondary audience
The course also addresses a broad audience of civilians, from international and regional organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations, universities and research centers working or interested in working with peace operations.
 
Participants are not expected to have prior experience in or knowledge of transitional justice. However, as this is an advanced course, participants must:
  • Have a sound understanding of the structure and functioning of a peace operation;
  • Have a university degree in a relevant area with proven interest in the specific topic covered by the course (BA or equivalent) or the equivalent working experience in a relevant field (2 to 4 years);
  • Have good command of English language (reading and writing);
  • Be computer literate.

 

Additional Information

Fellowships

Please note that UNITAR PTP fellowships are awarded only to a small numbers of applicants from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and are not differed or transferred to another course. You might wish to refer the UN-OHRLLS list by clicking here.

Technical Requirements

UNITAR recommends the following as a minimum in hardware and software to take our e-Learning courses. Please consult your Network Administrator or Systems person to ensure that you have the following:

  • Platform: Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME, XP or superior; MacOS 9 or MacOS X; Linux
  • Hardware: 64 MB of RAM, 1 GB of free disk space
  • Software:
    • Adobe Acrobat Reader (click here to download for free)
    • Adobe Flash Player (click here to download for free)
    • Microsoft Office (Windows or Mac) or Open Office (click here to download for free)
  • Browser: Internet Explorer 7 or higher (click here to download for free); it works better with Firefox 3.6 or higher (click here to download for free) 

  • Note that JavaScript, Cookies and Pop-ups must be enabled