This course introduces the foundational concepts and principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) within conflict settings. With a focus on legal literacy, participants explore key treaties, IHL principles (such as distinction, necessity, and proportionality), and the responsibilities of parties to a conflict. Emphasis is placed on practical applications of IHL to protect civilians and aid humanitarian workers in securing access to affected populations.

 Designed for full-time professionals, this 11-week course is structured to balance in-depth learning with flexible scheduling. The course begins with 2 reading weeks to build foundational knowledge, followed by 6 interactive, staff-led weeks that focus on peer-led discussions and practical applications. During these interactive weeks, participants will engage in two one-hour “Expert Corner” webinars and, on alternate weeks, a one-hour “Virtual Coffee” session for informal networking and discussion. To accommodate varying schedules, availability for these sessions is coordinated through participant polling. For those taking the course for credit, the final 3 weeks are dedicated to completing assessments. Most of the course is asynchronous to accommodate full-time work schedules, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for all participants.

It is agreed that emergencies, rehabilitation and peacebuilding programmes need to be embedded in local cultures. Cultural attributes such as gender, identity or decision-making process and local structures are influenced directly by conflict. Their relevance and modifications need to be mainstreamed in culture-sensitive programming. Culture sensitivity requires knowledge, skills and competences as well as an attitude towards others. Those issues are even more crucial when working in turbulent and violent environments. Is violence creating a new culture, modifying perceptions, values, and attitudes? How should we take into account those changes in our programmes?   

This module explores core issues related to culture, communication, trust building and culture sensitivity when working in turbulent and violent environments. Understanding local culture but also local ways and knowledge to respond to conflicts is essential in project management.

The course runs from April to July each year. It is developed over 8 weeks for non-credit and 11 weeks for those taking the course for credits. This includes 2 reading weeks, 6 interactive weeks and for those taking the course for credits 3 weeks for finalising assessments.  Most of the course is asynchronous except for a one hour per week webinar.  It is designed to be accessible for learners working full time

This module explores the experience of refugees and other forced migrants
displaced by conflict. It examines the causes of contemporary forced migration in
order to understand the implications of different causes for the nature of migration
flows and the corresponding humanitarian response. It critically evaluates the
international and regional normative frameworks for the protection of forced migrants,
considering different migrant categories: refugees, internally displaced persons,
stateless persons, and victims of human trafficking. The module considers the
practical dilemmas in protecting the rights of forced migrants.
The course runs from April to July each year. It is developed over 8 weeks for non-
credit and 11 weeks for those taking the course for credits. This includes 2 reading
weeks, 6 interactive weeks and for those taking the course for credits 3 weeks for
finalising assessments. Most of the course is asynchronous except for a one hour
per week webinar. It is designed to be accessible for learners working full time.

Focusing on urban spaces becomes increasingly important for the efficiency of
humanitarian actions, but presents new challenges as humanitarian and
development traditions are usually focused on 'open spaces' and rural environments.
In urban conflicts, all lines are blurred and programming will need to take that into
account. Conflicts particularly have an impact on the way people produce,
understand and inhabit spaces and places. Rebuilding some social links and
establishing communities in locations will become one of the key elements in conflict
transformation and humanitarian programmes. Through action research methods,
issues related to urban settings and specificities of humanitarian projects can be
investigated.
The course runs from September to December each year. It is developed over 8
weeks for non-credit and 11 weeks for those taking the course for credits. This
includes 2 reading weeks, 6 interactive weeks and for those taking the course for
credits 3 weeks for finalising assessments. Most of the course is asynchronous
except for a one hour per week webinar. It is designed to be accessible for learners
working full time.

This module explores the experience of refugees and other forced migrants
displaced by conflict. It examines the causes of contemporary forced migration in
order to understand the implications of different causes for the nature of migration
flows and the corresponding humanitarian response. It critically evaluates the
international and regional normative frameworks for the protection of forced migrants,
considering different migrant categories: refugees, internally displaced persons,
stateless persons, and victims of human trafficking. The module considers the
practical dilemmas in protecting the rights of forced migrants.
The course runs from April to July each year. It is developed over 8 weeks for non-
credit and 11 weeks for those taking the course for credits. This includes 2 reading
weeks, 6 interactive weeks and for those taking the course for credits 3 weeks for
finalising assessments. Most of the course is asynchronous except for a one hour
per week webinar. It is designed to be accessible for learners working full time.

The Part 3 Examination in Practice and Management is the final stage in an architect’s education and training – and the foundation for life-long learning and development as a member of the architectural profession.

For students undertaking accelerated course final fees must be paid by Friday 28^th February 2025.

This course delves into the multidimensional aspects of post-conflict stabilization and
recovery, emphasizing governance restoration, rule of law, and justice processes.
Participants explore cross-cutting principles of stabilization, programming tools, and
critical frameworks like human rights and human security approaches. Through
interactive learning, they assess actor roles, risks, and develop innovative recovery
strategies suitable for complex post-conflict settings.
Designed for full-time professionals, this 11-week course is structured to balance in-
depth learning with flexible scheduling. The course begins with 2 reading weeks to
build foundational knowledge, followed by 6 interactive, staff-led weeks that focus on
peer-led discussions and practical applications. During these interactive weeks,
participants will engage in two one-hour “Expert Corner” webinars and, on alternate
weeks, a one-hour “Virtual Coffee” session for informal networking and discussion.
To accommodate varying schedules, availability for these sessions is coordinated
through participant polling. For those taking the course for credit, the final 3 weeks
are dedicated to completing assessments. Most of the course is asynchronous to
accommodate full-time work schedules, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for all
participants.

CPD Online and in-person intensive: (10h = 6x 30min video, online exercise 6x30min plus 4h in-person seminar) specialised in RIBA Mandatory Competences. At the End of the CPD section participants will be issued a CPD Certificate of Participation.

Since the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in 2016, principles have been adopted aiming at a change of paradigm in order to respond better to humanitarian and peacebuilding needs. One of the encouraging ideas was that the divide between humanitarian, peacebuilding and development efforts should be reduced and that common objectives should lead to practical and programmatic linkages.  In all cases, the importance to build on local initiatives and to bring local actors in co-leadership roles, is advocated, though not yet a reality on the ground.

 The module aims to investigate how local actors can bridge the gaps between humanitarian, peacebuilding and development initiatives and how concretely the localisation and local turn agenda can be operationalised and programmed to shape a new humanitarian architecture, new standards and lead to sustainable solutions.   

The course runs from September to December each year. It is developed over 8 weeks for non-credit and 11 weeks for those taking the course for credits. This includes 2 reading weeks, 6 interactive weeks and for those taking the course for credits 3 weeks for finalising assessments.  Most of the course is asynchronous except for a one hour per week webinar.  It is designed to be accessible for learners working full time.