Digital Mediation and Online Peace Facilitation Training Course

Introduction

In an increasingly digitized world, where conflicts often manifest and escalate online, the ability to leverage digital tools for mediation and peace facilitation has become an indispensable skill for modern peacebuilders. This 5-day training course on Digital Mediation and Online Peace Facilitation provides participants with a cutting-edge understanding of how technology can be strategically employed to bridge divides, foster dialogue, and resolve conflicts in virtual spaces. Participants will gain deep insights into the unique opportunities and challenges presented by online environments, learning how to design, manage, and secure digital platforms for constructive engagement, ultimately expanding the reach and impact of peace efforts globally.

This intensive program is designed for peacebuilding practitioners, mediators, dialogue facilitators, humanitarian workers, civil society activists, and communication specialists working in or preparing for roles that require navigating online conflict dynamics. It will equip attendees with practical methodologies for selecting appropriate digital tools, ensuring data security and privacy, managing online group dynamics, and addressing digital risks such as hate speech and misinformation. By mastering the art of digital mediation and online peace facilitation, this course aims to empower participants to effectively transform online conflict into opportunities for dialogue and peacebuilding.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience:

  • Peacebuilding practitioners and program managers
  • Mediators and dialogue facilitators
  • Civil Society Organization (CSO) leaders and activists
  • Humanitarian and development professionals
  • Communication specialists and social media managers in peacebuilding organizations
  • Researchers and academics in digital peacebuilding and conflict studies
  • UN and regional organization staff involved in peace processes
  • Government officials engaged in public diplomacy or online engagement

Objectives: Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the conceptual framework of digital mediation and online peace facilitation.
  • Analyze the opportunities and challenges of conducting mediation and dialogue in virtual environments.
  • Identify and select appropriate digital tools for different online peace facilitation needs.
  • Apply ethical considerations and best practices for data security, privacy, and online safety.
  • Design, manage, and monitor effective and inclusive online dialogue platforms for conflict transformation.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Digital Mediation and Online Peace Facilitation

  • Defining digital mediation and online peace facilitation: concepts and scope.
  • The digital landscape of conflict: online polarization, hate speech, misinformation.
  • Why digital tools are essential for modern peacebuilding: reach, accessibility, cost-effectiveness.
  • The evolution of technology in conflict resolution: from basic communication to complex platforms.
  • Ethical considerations and "Do No Harm" in the digital space.

Module 2: Opportunities and Challenges of Online Environments

  • Opportunities: broader participation, reduced travel costs, speed of communication, access for geographically dispersed groups.
  • Challenges: digital divide, trust-building in virtual settings, managing non-verbal cues, technological literacy.
  • Risks: cybersecurity threats, online harassment, misinformation, deepfakes, emotional contagion.
  • The impact of algorithms and social media dynamics on online conflict.
  • Assessing readiness for online engagement among target participants.

Module 3: Selecting and Utilizing Digital Tools for Peace Facilitation

  • Overview of collaboration platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Webex).
  • Specialized dialogue tools and platforms (e.g., Kumu, Mural, dedicated mediation software).
  • Communication tools (e.g., secure messaging apps, encrypted email).
  • Data collection and analysis tools for online monitoring.
  • Considerations for bandwidth, accessibility, and user-friendliness.

Module 4: Designing and Structuring Online Dialogue Processes

  • Setting clear objectives and expected outcomes for online mediation/dialogue.
  • Participant selection and onboarding for virtual environments.
  • Establishing online ground rules and codes of conduct.
  • Structuring online sessions: timing, breaks, interactive elements.
  • Pre-and post-session preparation and follow-up in a digital context.

Module 5: Facilitation Techniques for Online Environments

  • Adapting traditional mediation and dialogue facilitation skills for virtual settings.
  • Managing online group dynamics: encouraging participation, dealing with disruption.
  • Utilizing breakout rooms, polls, whiteboards, and other interactive features.
  • Addressing technical issues during live sessions.
  • Building rapport and trust virtually.

Module 6: Security, Privacy, and Ethical Considerations in Digital Mediation

  • Data privacy and protection: GDPR, local regulations.
  • Cybersecurity best practices for platforms and personal devices.
  • Protecting participant anonymity and confidentiality online.
  • Addressing hate speech, incitement, and harmful content.
  • Informed consent and risk assessment for online engagement.

Module 7: Managing Online Conflict Risks and Disinformation

  • Identifying and responding to online polarization and radicalization.
  • Strategies for countering misinformation and disinformation campaigns.
  • Monitoring online narratives and sentiment analysis.
  • Building digital resilience and critical media literacy in communities.
  • Collaborating with social media platforms and tech companies.

Module 8: Case Studies, Lessons Learned, and Future Trends

  • Analysis of real-world examples of digital mediation and online peace facilitation.
  • Lessons learned from successes and failures in diverse conflict contexts.
  • The integration of AI and emerging technologies in peace facilitation.
  • The future of hybrid models: combining in-person and online approaches.
  • Developing a personal toolkit and action plan for digital peacebuilding.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

 

Digital Mediation And Online Peace Facilitation Training Course in Kenya
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