UNITAR Online Catalogue

United Nations Approach to DDR [UNV.2022.009]

Peace

Type
Course
Location
Web-based
Date
to
Duration
12 Months
Programme Area
Peacekeeping
Event Focal Point Email
ptp@unitar.org

Background

The United Nations Integrated Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Standards (UN IDDRS) bring together knowledge, lessons learned and good practices on a wide range of issues from concepts, policies and strategies to programme planning, design, management, and monitoring and evaluation. In addition to outlining the basics of each phase of DDR, the IDDRS offers detailed guidance on key issues, such as information and sensitization, food aid and food security, women and gender, children and youth, health and HIV/AIDS and important linkages with other peacebuilding processes.

The IDDRS have provided direction and guidance to those engaged in preparing, implementing and supporting DDR programmes for more than a decade. However, heightened political and security challenges and realities in settings where peace operations deploy, as well as increasing request for DDR support in special political missions and non-mission settings, required new guidance and a revision of the IDDRS and the UN approach to DDR. The revised IDDRS aims to guide practitioners operating in new conflict contexts. These contexts are those in which the preconditions of DDR are not in place and where these political and security challenges arise, such as: proliferation of armed groups, lack of peace agreements, presence of violent extremism and regional armed groups dynamics.

Event Objectives

The goal of the course is to provide participants with key knowledge on the United Nations approach to Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) guiding them through an interactive, practical and engaging overview of the Integrated DDR Standards, familiarizing them with its various components.

Learning Objectives

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

  • Define DDR concepts and identify relevant policies and strategies, including the United Nations integrated approach to DDR;
  • Describe key elements of the 2019/2020 revision of the Integrated DDR Standards (IDDRS);
  • Describe integrated DDR planning and programme design;
  • Analyse DDR operations, programmes and support activities, more specifically the processes of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration;
  • Integrate cross-cutting issues pertinent to DDR policies and strategies into DDR policies and strategies;
  • Link DDR programmes with other peace-building processes.

Content and Structure

The course is structured in the following six modules.

Module 0 | IDDRS Revision and New UN Approach to DDR

This module introduces the revision of the IDDRS and the new elements in the UN Approach to DDR.  It also describes the differences in the implementation of DDR in traditional and non-traditional settings, as well as introducing the concepts of DDR-related tools.

Module 1 | Introduction to Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration

Module 1 is an introduction to the concepts of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration. It also describes the contexts in which DDR occurs and distinguishes between DDR participants, beneficiaries, and partners.

Module 2 | Disarmament and Demobilization

The module introduces the concepts of disarmament and demobilization, analyses the linkages between small arms and light weapons control and disarmament, and examines the role of reinsertion in bridging the gap between demobilization and reintegration.

Module 3 | Reintegration

In module 3 the participant can examine the concept of reintegration and analyse key features of different types of reintegration.

Module 4 | Specific needs groups

This module is an introduction to DDR strategies for groups with specific needs and it analyses how specific needs are integrated into the framework of DDR processes. 

Module 5 | Linkages with relevant issues and processes

Module 5 distinguishes specific issues and processes linked with DDR. For each issue or process, it explains the rationale of linkages and provides details on how to integrate them into DDR processes

Methodology

This self-paced course is based on several interactive learning components that, through various visualisation techniques, facilitates the understanding of difficult theoretical complex. The course includes videos and online resources to meet its objectives.

Targeted Audience

The course is suitable for anyone interested in the processes of disarmament and demobilization - including practitioners working in post-conflict contexts, field workers, and international volunteers - but has limited or no experience or knowledge on DDR.

Additional Information

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:

Software:

Adobe Acrobat Reader;

Adobe Flash Player.

Browser:

Google Chrome 30.0 or superior;

Mozilla Firefox 25.0 or superior;

Safari 7 or superior;

Internet Explorer 8 or superior.

Note that JavaScript, Cookies and Popups must be enabled. 

Mobile:

Apple iOS in Apple iOS 7 or superior on iPad:

  • Articulate Mobile Player;
  • Moodle Mobile.

Android OS in Android OS 4.1 or superior (optimized for tablets):

  • Articulate Mobile Player;
  • Moodle Mobile.