PAST PROJECT

Next leaders for peace training

Group picture from the training in Beirut, November 2022.

Through networking and mentoring, the Berghof Foundation seeks to empower the upcoming leaders of non-governmental organisations working for peace and dialogue.

Timeframe: 2022 - 2022

Many of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) dedicated to peace and dialogue are founded and led by highly charismatic and experienced personalities. However, transitioning into the next generation of leaders can be a challenge at times. Against this backdrop, the timely promotion and support of a new generation of leaders is essential to strengthening the capacities and resilience of peacebuilding organisations. This pilot project is committed to empowering NGOs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and supporting them to strengthen their resilience, effectiveness and inclusion by training mid-level personnel as the leaders of tomorrow. We understand the unique set of challenges that leaders of organisations devoted to peace and dialogue encounter, and we offer them a customised training, networking and mentoring course with the “Next Leaders for Peace Training” programme.

Over the course of three months, a selected group of mid-level personnel from peacebuilding NGOs in Lebanon, Libya, Jordan and Iraq are provided with an interdisciplinary and comprehensive training including conflict transformation and peace education practices, organisational and inclusive leadership development, media relations and public outreach. Using both biweekly online trainings and an intensive 5-day workshop in Beirut, Lebanon, this group of next-generation-leaders are encouraged to strengthen their leadership competencies, build a strong network of like-minded supporters across the MENA region and introduce innovative methods for a sustainable and future-oriented transition process within their organisations.

Background

Organisations active in crisis prevention, conflict transformation and peacebuilding are often led by charismatic personalities. However, this entails high risks for the permanence of the commitment. Founders sometimes retire, and there is also the risk in crisis regions that the central executive will be threatened, imprisoned or worse. In these cases, there is a danger that the entire work of the NGO will come to a standstill. Therefore, the purpose of the project is the empowerment and networking of young leaders in peace organisations from crisis regions in order to strengthen and sustain their impact. This includes the development of a special curriculum for peace oriented and conflict sensitive leadership and for dealing with current global challenges of peace and security. The curriculum includes a series of workshops and coaching measures. The project will support peace organisations, especially in the MENA region, in becoming more resilient by enhancing their inclusivity and effectiveness, as well as strengthening their international networks.

Activities

Using both online and on-site training settings, we are providing the NGO leaders of tomorrow with an integrative course covering the following modules:

Training Modules:

M 1: Peace education and empowering the young generation
M 2: Applied mediation and conflict resolution skills
M 3: Organisational development and inclusive leadership
M 4: Media relations and improving public visibility
M 5: Optional topic chosen by the participants

Our training programme is delivered online on 19 October, 26 October, 16 November and 7 December. From the 23-27 November, we are inviting all the participants to Beirut, Lebanon for a 5-day intensive workshop in action.