Human Security in Post-Conflict Interventions [PTP.2014.16E]
The notion of human security first appeared as a post-Cold War attempt to transform the traditional understanding of security – framed in purely state-centric and militaristic terms – into a more comprehensive concept having as ultimate referent object the individual. Stemming from the acknowledgement of the complex character of contemporary violence, human security focuses on the protection of individual lives and recognizes that threats to human security can arise in non-military contexts and from sources other than the military.
The goal of the course is to present the concept of human security in terms of an organizing standard and to introduce the principles that inform the planning, implementation and evaluation of human security-oriented interventions in conflict and post-conflict settings.
At the end of the course you will be able to:
- Explain the UN approach to human security;
- Examine the human security operational principles as applied to post-conflict interventions;
- Present the specificities of a human security approach to analysis, mapping, planning and implementation of post-conflict interventions;
- Summarize the specificities of human security impact assessment.
The course is composed of four modules that will be covered over five weeks:
- Module 1: Introduction to human security;
- Module 2: Operational principles of human security;
- Module 3: Application of human security to mapping, planning and implementation;
- Module 4: Application of human security to impact assessment.
The course adopts a methodology based on the principles of project-based learning. Project-based learning involves a comprehensive approach focused on teaching by engaging you in concrete activities. Within this framework, you will seek for solutions to real problems by different means, such as: asking and refining questions; debating ideas; making predictions; designing plans and/or experiments; collecting and analyzing data; drawing conclusions; communicating your ideas and findings to others; asking new questions; and creating artifacts.
- Greater depth of understanding of concepts;
- Broader knowledge base;
- Improved communication and interpersonal skills;
- Enhanced leadership skills;
- Increased creativity;
- Improved writing skills.
The course is delivered online, asynchonously, which allows participants to log on and complete the course at the place and time that is most convenient for them. The course utilizes various media sources (web-resources, videos, images) and uses technology to facilitate the learning (forums, chats with experts). To bridge the distance, facilitators are available throughout the course to guide and support participants.
Primary audience
The primary audience of the course is composed by practitioners responsible for the planning, implementation and/or evaluation of interventions in post-conflict environments – being representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions, national, regional and international organizations.
Secondary audience
The secondary audience is composed of practitioners involved in the above-mentioned tasks but in settings other than post-conflict. The course also addresses a broader audience of academics and researchers.
- Have a sound understanding of the processes associated with the planning, implementation and evaluation of post-conflict interventions;
- Have a university degree in a relevant area with proven interest in human security (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.
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.
- 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