Peacebuilding Approaches to Training and Dialogue with Security Forces Dr. Eileen R. Borris

IMTD – National Defense University Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Began January 2007 12 week elective Met 2 hours a week 9 Distinguished speakers Goal: To teach senior military including foreign military that there were other ways aside from using a gun to solve conflicts.

Course Summary To build military capacity in negotiation and conflict resolution skills. To identify and understand the causes of conflict within a nation. To help military implement conflict resolution and peacebuilding skills in future missions. Course content is borrowed from the field experiences of conflict resolution practitioners and military commanders.

Course Topics Ethic conflict in today’s world Art and Science of Negotiation Negotiation/Trust issues Conflict and Development Trauma and Reconciliation – the need for forgiveness Dynamics of Social Conflicts Islam and Peacebuilding Afghanistan: Local Citizens and US Military

Highlights This was a very important experience which broadened the perspective and the horizon of future military advisers and leaders. A host of different approaches are available for peacebuilding and conflict resolution. The most important element of the course was negotiation, Islamic Conflict Resolution approaches and trauma, reconciliation and forgiveness in post-conflict environments.

Lessons learned Peacebuilding examples that included military participation would be helpful. More interactive exercises and case studies especially of various conflict and peace negotiations are recommended. The course would be more useful as an actual hands-on practicum to teach conflict resolution.