HPCR International's professional development program aims to enrich humanitarian debate and improve responses to conflict by offering opportunities for mid-career professionals to develop skills, deepen knowledge, and participate in informal expert networks.

Within the program, HPCR International offers a series of international training sessions and workshops designed to support policymakers and practitioners engaged in humanitarian protection and assistance. Drawing participants from across the humanitarian community, these trainings provide a forum to share institutional experience and best practices.

The program builds on three components: online training materials and discussion forums; core training sessions on advanced principles in humanitarian law and policy and security management; and thematic workshops on critical issues and challenges related to both IHL and security management, designed to present the latest policy tools and debates pertaining to humanitarian protection. The training sessions and workshops are offered throughout the year in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

For participants interested in pursuing an in-depth curriculum on humanitarian law and policy, HPCR International also offers the option to enroll in a professional certification program. New in 2008, the Professional Certificate in Humanitarian Law and Policy and the Professional Certificate in Security Management are intended for participants who require sophisticated fluency in interpreting and applying IHL and security management.

For professionals seeking to gain a deeper understanding of critical peacebuilding issues, HPCR International offers a series of online lectures and suggested readings, linked to a discussion forum. These tools will enable policy makers and practitioners to build off the overview of definitions, debates and challenges presented on the Peacebuilding Initiative portal. The curriculum will be piloted in late 2008, with further enhancement in 2009.

All professional development workshops are offered by HPCR International in collaboration with the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University. Individual trainings are presented in cooperation with leading institutional partner.