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. This includes 2 reading weeks, 6 interactive weeks.  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.

Course Description

Course Content

The course has 6 key sessions:

·        Linking humanitarian action, peacebuilding and development

·        Localisation, local turn and the agenda for humanity

·        As local as possible, as international as necessary

·        Building on local knowledge and endogenous conflict management

·        Reinforce, do not replace: Strengthening local capacities and local mobilisation

·        Localisation and local turn in practice