International Training on Dialogue and Mediation

Each year the Foundation, together with Uppsala University’s Department of Peace and Conflict Research, holds the International Training on Dialogue and Mediation (ITDM) programme.

The programme brings participants from around the world to Uppsala for ten days of interactive lectures and training. It builds on 45 years of peace and conflict research and education at Uppsala University, combined with insights from the Foundation’s ongoing engagement in international policy discussions on peacebuilding.

Many regional intergovernmental organisations active in the area of dialogue and mediation have created special units to engage with conflict prevention, mediation, peacemaking or peacebuilding. Similar developments can be observed in regional civil society organisations. In this rapid and dynamic process, practitioners have increasingly come to realise the importance of a continuous exchange of knowledge, experience and perspectives to improve understanding and performance.

The ITDM programme is specially designed for practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and mid-level leaders from international and regional organisations, civil society and universities with a particular focus on the use of dialogue in building and sustaining peace in developing countries and territories eligible for official development assistance.

Participants become acquainted with the latest research in this field, guided by skilled experts, and jointly reflect on its relevance and applicability to their ongoing work while developing a network of colleagues from other countries.