Dealing with the Past & Conflict Transformation

Course Content: 

Finding a way to deal with a violent past, such as armed conflict, an authoritarian regime or occupation, as well as the legacy of a colonial rule, is argued to be the basis for lasting peace, democracy and rule of law. International norms and legal frameworks support national and local actors involved in dealing with the past processes (also called transitional justice) in the design of mechanisms and institutions, such as truth commissions, tribunals, or memorialization efforts.

This course examines the potentials and challenges in the context of such processes, especially taking into account their transformative potential. Participants explore how dealing with the past processes and the adopted mechanisms and institutions can support the transformation of violent conflicts. By engaging with key debates in the field and comparing experiences from different contexts such as Colombia, El Salvador, and Ukraine, participants acquire the concepts and tools necessary to support dealing with the past initiatives in their own contexts. 

Course Objectives: 

• acquire a thorough understanding of the conceptual framework of dealing with the past, and its four pillars of the right to know, the right to justice, the right to reparations, and the guarantees of non-recurrence;
• discuss the particular challenges and needs when dealing with the search for disappeared and missing persons;
• reflect on the role of family, victims’ and survivors’ associations and the importance of psychosocial support;
• learn about transformative approaches to dealing with the past;
• apply the main concepts and approaches to your “own” context;
• and exchange experiences and become part of a community of practice. 

Is this course designed for you? 

This course is designed for:

• professionals interested or engaged in dealing with the past processes and conflict transformation
• practitioners and academics interested in complementing their own experiences with current conceptual insights and practical knowledge

If you are unsure, do not hesitate to contact us for personal advice.

Tuition fee: 1'700CHF

The course consists of preparatory readings and a 3-day on-site training (Wednesday to Friday). The course schedule is 9h00-12h30 and 14h00-17h30 (may be subject to change). 

Apply here until: 31 March 2026