HPCR International, in cooperation with the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University, offers a series of advanced trainings in international humanitarian policy and conflict management in partnership with leading institutions and universities. The trainings, as well as the related e-learning resources, are tailored to meet the needs of policymakers and practitioners working in the field of humanitarian assistance and protection in conflicts around the world.

HPCR believes that professionals working in the field of protection in conflicts and disasters require both dynamic expert instruction and policy tools that are directly linked to practice and contemporary challenges.

In these intensive trainings, which are entering their eighth year, participants acquire and refine skills necessary to address complex humanitarian challenges through a range of pedagogical tools, including legal instruction from leading experts, policy discussions and debates, and simulation exercises and case studies based on real world conflicts. For all trainings, faculty and expert facilitators are drawn from diverse universities and international organizations.

Core Advanced Trainings

The core advanced trainings on humanitarian law and policy are designed to provide professionals with advanced concepts and principles on humanitarian protection. Focusing on practical situations and interventions, participants will be able to use legal and policy methods to analyze protection challenges and craft appropriate responses.

The on-site core advanced training consists of a five-day seminar engaging leading experts and policymakers on the challenges faced in the application and implementation of IHL in current conflicts. For more information information on the core advanced sessions, click here.

Thematic Workshops

In addition, HPCR International will offer a series of thematic workshops in 2009 designed to deepen the knowledge and experience of professionals on critical issues and challenges faced by the humanitarian community. Open to members of the HPCR International professional association, these workshops are designed for alumni from previous core trainings as well as those with equivalent experience or expertise in IHL. The topics for the thematic workshops in 2009 are based on requests from participants in the advanced trainings for in-depth engagement on particular topics. They include:

• Occupation law and peacebuilding
• Islamic law and the protection of civilians
• Challenges of implementing IHL in internal conflicts
• IHL and counterterrorism

The methodology of the thematic workshops reflects the one used in the core trainings: practice-oriented legal instruction, real-world simulations and case studies, and close discussion and policy debate with leading experts. For more information about the thematic workshops: click here.

Professional Certificate in Humanitarian Security Management

The thematic workshops on International Humanitarian Law will be offered separately from the core advanced course. The completion of the core training and two thematic workshops constitutes the basic requirements for the Professional Certificate in Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Management. For more information on the Professional Certificate click here.