TOOLS FOR CONFLICT SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT
June 1 to 5, 2026
Even well-intentioned development initiatives can unintentionally fuel tension or exacerbate conflict, particularly in contexts with fragile governance, social divisions, or weak security structures.
This course equips participants with knowledge and practical tools needed to ensure their interventions contribute to peace rather than conflict intentioned development initiatives that can unintentionally fuel tension or exacerbate conflict, particularly in contexts with fragile governance, social divisions, or weak security structures.
The course introduces practical approaches to conflict analysis, peace and conflict stakeholder mapping, and impact assessment. Participants will learn how to identify risks, strengthen positive outcomes, and adapt programs in complex and evolving environments.
While this course is designed with the Canadian context in mind, applications are welcome from participants outside Canada who feel the learning objectives and approach align with their work. Please note that Coady Institute is unable to provide visa support or letters for this program.
This experience has strengthened my capacity to support others, cocreate safer community spaces, and continue building systems rooted in equity, hope, and collaboration.
Stephanie-Lynn Osberg
The course is grounded in two foundational frameworks - Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment (PCIA) and Do No Harm (DNH)- and emphasizes real world application. By the end of the course, participants will be able to design, implement, and adapt development initiatives that are conflict sensitive, ethically responsible, and contextually informed world application.
Who can register
This program is for development practitioners, humanitarian workers, program managers and anyone working in community development in the area peacebuilding and conflict resolution. They should be motivated to participate actively and commit to transferring their learning into action upon return. To enable optimal learning and knowledge sharing throughout the course, all participants must have a good level of spoken and written English language.
Personal Benefits
By the end of this five-day course, participants will be able to:
• Explain Core Concepts: Clearly define conflict sensitivity and the “Do No Harm” approach and articulate their ethical and practical importance in development and humanitarian work.
• Analyze Conflict Contexts: Apply conflict analysis frameworks to identify key actors, drivers, dynamics, dividers, and connectors within specific contexts.
• Assess Development Impacts: Evaluate how development initiatives may unintentionally contribute to conflict or, conversely, support peace and social cohesion.
• Use Practical Analytical Tools: Conduct stakeholder mapping, risk assessments, and resource transfer analysis to better understand the interaction between programs and conflict dynamics.
• Design and Adapt Conflict Sensitive Programs: Integrate conflict sensitivity into project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, and develop adaptive strategies for responding to changing conditions.
Time requirement
This course takes place June 1 to June 5 (5 days) at Coady Institute on the campus of St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Fees
The course fee of $1,500 includes tuition, 6 nights of accommodation (arriving Sunday, May 31 with departure Saturday, June 6), breakfast and lunch, and ground transportation to and from Halifax airport organized by Coady at set times.
Travel related expenses such as airfare are the responsibility of the participant. Participants are also responsible for their own suppers and any personal expenses and incidental costs.
A limited number of additional bursaries are available for persons who are African Nova Scotians or First Nations, Metis, or Inuit.
Established in 1959, Coady Institute is committed to accompanying generations of global leaders skilled in the application of citizen-led, asset-based, and community-driven leadership for economic and social change. Located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, on the campus of St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Coady Institute includes a network of leaders in 130 countries globally.