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Volunteering and Courses

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Short-term peace work, internships, study tours and summer schools

Work for Quakers for peace for a year
Each year Quaker Peace & Social Witness recruits one-year peaceworkers to serve at the Quaker UN Office (QUNO) in Geneva as well as at national peace organisations in the UK. Applications for 2009-2010 QUNO Geneva peaceworker placements are now closed. Applications for 2009 are now closed.
QPSW also recruits annually for one-year Peaceworkers in Burundi (applications now closed). The Quaker Council for European Affairs also recruits one-year Programme Assistants (normally age 21-30) - visit www.quaker.org/qcea.
Placements are also available in Israel/Palestine (see below).
It is not normally necessary to be a Quaker to do these these jobs; however, a close sympathy with Quaker values and practices is expected.

Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel
EAPPI provides protection by presence, supports Israeli and Palestinian peace activists and advocates for an end to the occupation. Applications for 2009 are now closed. More info available from: www.quaker.org.uk/eappi 

Quaker United Nations Summer School
In July each year Quaker Peace & Social Witness and the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva co-ordinate a two-week study tour for 25 young people from 20 to 26 years old who are interested in international issues. The programme involves seminars, workshops and attendance at official meetings, including sessions at the UN, the World Trade Organisation, International Labour Organisation, Quaker House and other organisations. 'What an amazing time! Twenty-five like-minded young people, an inspired programme of lectures, discussions and observations of UN sessions - all in the stunning setting of multicultural Geneva.' Rachel Barker, participant. For more information, visit http://www.quno.org/. Applications for 2010 are open. 

Study Tour of the European Institutions
Organised by the Quaker Council for European Affairs, this is a week in Brussels and Strasbourg learning about the work of the EU and non-governmental organisations, normally in July each year. Visit www.quaker.org/qcea for more information.

Volunteering

London

Other UK localities 

See also:

Training

Turning The Tide Nonviolence for a Change Training 2009

From January to December 2009 Turning the Tide will offer monthly workshops in nonviolent methods and practices. The workshops are aimed at people who have experience working with others on social change issues. You can participate as a member of the year-group (committing to the whole course) or as a one-day participant only coming to those workshops which interest you. Spaces are limited and prior booking essential. Applications for year-long course must be received by 12 December. Full course £250, one-day workshop £25; concessions available. Friends House, Euston, London. Venue is wheelchair accessible. For more details see our website http://www.turning-the-tide.org/workshops/2009_info or email denised@quaker.org.uk or stevew@quaker.org.uk phone 020 7663 1061/1064.

Dates and themes of monthly workshops
10 January, Nonviolence: a dangerous idea
14 February, Playing with power 1: understanding the system (FULL)
14 March, Playing with power 2: changing the system
April 18, Campaigners do it together! How we can make change
May 15, 16, 17, Is everybody happy? Tools for effective group work (year-group only, not open to one-day participants)
June 13, Don't just sit there! Exploring direct action
July 11, D-I-Y day: self-organised by group
August - no session
September 12, The living revolution: building the alternative
Oct 10, Inner and outer: spirituality and activism
Nov 13, 14, 15, We can do that! Empowerment for social change (year-group only, not open to one-day participants)
Dec 12, Celebrating nonviolence

International Alert training courses in 2009

International Alert provide training courses in the peacebuilding sector for newcomers and field practitioners as well as at the strategic level. Here is a selection:

International Alert training - Monitoring and Documenting Human Rights Violations
11-15 May 2009
Price:£540 or 325 (concession)
For those with a strong interest in developing their skills in handling human rights violations. Participants will develop skills around identifying, fact-finding and documenting violations. For more information, please click here

International Alert training - Introduction to Election Observation
18-19 April 2009 and 10-11 October 2009
Price:£325 or 195 (concession)
This two day course prepares participants for short-term election observation missions, providing an insight into the nature of the work and developing the key skills needed. It will encourage observers' ability to work as part of a team and deal with the challenges of a mission environment. The second day of the course involves an assessed simulation. Participants will be observed by experienced election observers who will assess their skills against the requirements to be an STO. Successful completion of the course can potentially provide a route into this area of work with ERIS, one of the UK's selecting organisations for election observers. For more information, please click here

International Alert training - Introduction to Working in Conflict
28-February to 1-March and 24-25 October 2009
Price:£180 or 110 (concession)
This short introductory course provides a glimpse into the field of civilian 'conflict work': What is it? Who does it? What do you need to be able to do it? How do you get into it? As well as trying to answer these questions, the course will give participants the opportunity to explore more deeply whether this kind of work is something they may want to go into at some point in their lives. This course will help you understand what is involved in conflict work and whether this is for you. For more information, please click here

International Alert training - Working for Peace in the Midst of Conflict: Is it for me?
27-29 March 2009
26-28 June 2009
28-29 November 2009
Price:£325 or 195 (concession)
This is a full-scale simulation course for individuals who feel they are ready for assessment, and do not need level 2 training. Put into teams and sent straight into the simulation 'field' as the 'EU team' you will experience what this sort of work entails. Teams are set objectives for the weekend and will meet with civil society representatives and local and international actors in order to achieve these objectives. You will be assigned an 'observer' for the weekend who will give you personal feedback and advice on further training needs and opportunities for professional development. For more information, please click here

International Alert training - Core Skills For Working in Conflict
21-26 July 2009
Price:£540 or 325 (concession)
This is a highly practical, hands-on course designed to prepare anyone wanting to work in conflict prevention, crisis management or peacebuilding with the essential skills for working in a conflict situation. Each day of the course will focus on a particular set of skills and how to apply them in the peacebuilding context. The final day-long simulation exercise will test these skills. You will be assessed by an experienced observer who can advise you on next steps in your personal and professional development as a peace worker. For more information, please here

Courses and workshops

Current opportunities:

Coventry Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies: Postgraduate study opportunities for 2009-10: MA and Postgraduate Certificate programmes, on campus and by distance learning.
Our core concern is the study of how to achieve peace by peaceful means at all levels. We explore contested concepts such as peace, violence, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation. We also explore methods of transforming violent relationships by nonviolent means. Our aim is to help people develop their capacities, and to this end we also incorporate training in project management specifically designed for those working with peace and change agencies. Some scholarships are available for our programmes. Graduates work in such fields as peace-building, international relief and development, media, diplomacy, education, religion, conflict resolution and restorative justice. For further information please check our website http://www.coventry.ac.uk/peacestudy For inquiries about MA programmes, email: alan.hunter@coventry.ac.uk For inquiries about our Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution Skills email: carol.rank@coventry.ac.uk 

  • Bradford: Department of Peace Studies, Bradford University: www.brad.ac.uk/acad/peace (offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses)
  • Birmingham: Responding to Conflict: http://www.respond.org/ (includes accredited, short, intensive and practical courses for those working in conflict situations, including conflict resolution skills training)
  • Coventry: Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies, Coventry University: www.coventry.ac.uk/peacestudy offers on-site and accredited distance learning courses including MA in Peace and Reconciliation Studies, Post Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution Skills and the Online Certificate in Peace and Reconciliation Studies.
  • Dunblane, Scotland: Scottish Centre for Nonviolence: http://www.nonviolence-scotland.org.uk/ (offers courses and training in the theory and practice of nonviolence)
  • Leeds: School of Applied Global Ethics, Leeds Metropolitan University: http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/international/age/sage.htm (offers a good variety of post-graduate [Masters] courses on a peace theme)
  • London: International Alert Training (formerly Peaceworkers UK): http://www.internationalalert.org.uk/ (offers short courses and training for civilian approaches to responding to conflict)
  • London: Turning the Tide Programme: http://www.turning-the-tide.org/ (offers one day workshops in nonviolence and social change for individuals and groups)
  • London: St Ethelburga's Training Workshops: http://www.stethelburgas.org/training.htm (offers low-cost, short- and one-day courses in skills for peacemaking)
  • International: Transcend Peace University: http://www.transcend.org/tpu (offers accredited courses by distance learning in the theory and practice of conflict transformation)

Other skills courses:

St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation & Peace
St Ethelburga's is a centre for peace and reconciliation set in the heart of the City of London. Public events take place at the centre, ranging from talks and training workshops to meditation and world music. Thanks in part to the centre's beautiful interfaith peace tent, St Ethelburga's is playing a lead role in getting people of all faiths (and none) together. For more information on events at St Ethelburga's, visit: http://www.stethelburgas.org/

Peace Brigades International Course:
Arranges occasional orientation weekends at low cost for those considering becoming PBI volunteers. Visit www.peacebrigades.org/uk.html for more.

Are you fighting for social justice but need assistance with your campaigning skills?
The Sheila McKechnie Foundation supports the next generation of campaigners through providing bespoke training and personal development.
The Sheila McKechnie Awards offer training fellowships to emerging campaigners through identifying people with outstanding vision and potential. The awards help individuals to achieve greater impact via a 10-day package of bespoke training and advice, which includes:
One-to-one mentoring from an experienced campaigner; The chance to shadow senior figures from politics, the civil service, journalism, research and academia, voluntary sector management, and fundraising and marketing; Skills training days; The chance to share experience and expertise with your peers. To find out more and see if you are eligible to apply check out: http://www.sheilamckechnie.org.uk/