Departamento de Desarrollo Humano de la OEA

 Programa de Becas de Desarrollo Profesional

“Conflict Analysis and Resolution:  Building Capacity for Democratic Change in the Americas”

OAS/DHD/CIR.022/2009

1) Venue:   Institute  for Conflict Analysis & Resolution, George   Mason University, 5th   Floor, Truland Building, 3330 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington, Virginia   22201, USA.

2) Coordinators:  Wallace Warfield, Associate Professor Tel. (703) 993- 3649 & Christopher Mitchell, Emeritus Professor of Conflict Research. Tel. (703) 993-1306  Fax. (703) 993-1302.

3)  Modality:                                                   Onsite

4)  Dates of the Course:                              May 30th to June 9th, 2009

5)  Duration of the Course:                          10 working days

6)  Language:                                                 English and Spanish

7)  Objectives of the Course:

• To increase knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in the use of conflict analysis and resolution.
• To increase democratic capacity-building for participating organizational representatives
• To expand the network of conflict resolution professionals in Latin America and the Caribbean

8)   Content of the course:  

• The course will consist of lectures, discussion and practices of conflict analysis and resolution given by ICAR faculty and associates. The course will have concept and skills development sessions.
• Course participants are expected to present case studies or problems likely to give rise to conflicts from the increased democratization of the countries in the region, for discussion and analysis by participants and faculty. At the conclusion of the workshop, enhanced case studies will form the framework for the toolkits that will be developed for application in respective countries.

9) Requirements:

• Post graduate education in relevant social science and humanity fields.
• Practical experience in conflict analysis and resolution
• At least three years experience in working with Civil Society initiatives and/or the public sector
• Computer and power point proficiency desirable.
• Certified copy of relevant academic degree(s)/courses.
• Be physically fit to fulfill the obligations of the course; and able to attend the entire course.
• Have good command of English and/or Spanish, with documentary evidence if neither is not the native language.   
• Submit a duly completed request before the deadline established by the National Liaison Office (ONE) [1]. The candidate is responsible for finding out the deadline set by the ONE in his/her country of residence. 

10) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CANDIDATES:

• The selected candidates must confirm their acceptance to the OAS General Secretariat Office in their respective countries and through the ONE in order for the OAS to proceed with making the necessary travel arrangements to purchase the air travel tickets, economy class, round-trip, between their country of origin or residence and the study location or, if the scholarship is refused, to appoint another candidate.
• The selected candidates must confirm their acceptance of the scholarship by signing and returning to DHD their completed “form of acceptance of the scholarship award”; only after this has been done will the OAS proceed with the necessary travel arrangements to purchase the air travel tickets, economy class, round-trip, between the scholarship recipient’s country of origin and the study location.
• Upon selection, candidates must accept the scholarship by confirming their availability to follow the course during the period indicated and their acceptance of the duly provided conditions of study. 
• Selected scholarship recipients are responsible for obtaining the necessary visa(s) to enter the country of study and the corresponding transit(s). The OAS will not be responsible for any costs related to obtaining visas or transfer documentation.
• Each scholarship recipient is responsible for arriving in time for the commencement of activities on the date established by the institution offering the course or program.  
• If the scholarship recipient fails to travel on the scheduled dates, or change routes, after the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS) has purchased his/her travel ticket, he/she will be responsible for paying the difference in ticket costs in order to arrive at the course site in time. The scholarship recipient will furthermore have to reimburse the GS/OAS the total cost of the airfare for his/her travel from his/her country of residence to the site where the Professional Development Course will take place and back if, after the ticket has been purchased, he/she declines the scholarship without written authorization from the Department of Human Development.
• The latter includes any additional costs, if any, incurred by the GS/OAS, such as extra costs for accommodation during the scholarship recipient’s travel to and from the country where the course will be held.
• If the fellow declines, cancel or terminates the Scholarship after the course or program has started without giving enough proof to the OAS/GS, he or she must reimburse OAS/GS the total amount of 11) 

OAS SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION CRITERIA:  In accordance with article 4.2. of the Manual of Procedures of the Scholarship and Training Programs of the OAS, OAS scholarships shall be granted based on the following criteria:

·         The objectives and priorities established in the Strategic Plan for Partnership for Development;

• The training priorities of the member states;
• The merits and overall credentials of the candidate, including his/her academic and professional background;
• The financial need of the candidate; and
• An extensive and equitable geographic distribution for the benefit of all member states and that takes into account the greater needs of the smaller and relatively less developed economies. 

12)  BENEFITS: 

·The OAS Department of Human Development will cover the cost of an economy roundtrip ticket between the country of origin and the host country2

·The George Mason University will provide:

1.      Tuition

2.      A limited amount of housing will be provided, where the participants will be hosted by ICAR professors and students who live in the Fairfax / Arlington area.
3. As a result of the exchange of case studies and interactions among participants and professors, the participants will increase their knowledge, skills and techniques in the following conflict analysis and resolution areas:  intervention design, conflict mapping, reflective practice, ethical dilemmas, conflict prevention and evaluation.

4.      This course will benefit civil society representatives as well as public representatives from OAS member states.

5.      Course participants are expected to present case studies for discussion and analysis by other participants and faculty.  At the conclusion of the workshop, enhanced case studies will form the framework for the toolkits that will be developed for application in their respective countries.

6.      Participants will learn methods to start and/or strengthen similar initiatives within their own organizations.  They will have the opportunity to share ideas with other professionals and colleagues. We hope to build a committed network of organizations that will continue the exchange of knowledge, experience and information based on “best practices”.

7.      In addition, the agenda includes planned visits to key organizations in the Washington DC area, which have an interest in conflict management and transformation, including the OAS headquarters. 

13) PRESENTATION OF CANDIDACIES: 

Please Notice:  If you were awarded an OAS Professional Development Scholarship in the past twelve (12) months or if you currently hold an OAS Scholarship for Academic Studies, you are not eligible to apply for another Professional Development Scholarship.

The online application form must be completed on-line and can be accessed at:  http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/onsite.aspx?culture=en&navid=282  here you’ll find the announcements of all the onsite courses, click in the one you are interested in, go though the end of the page, and then you’ll find the Continue button which will direct you to the online application form.

Once the applicant has completed the online application form and submitted it, a copy will be sent automatically to his/her e-mail account. This completed form must be printed, signed and submitted to the National Liaison Office (ONE) with all other forms (http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/formspd.aspx?culture=en&navid=282) that must be completed electronically or in typewritten format.

The following is the list of National Liaison Organizations (ONEs) in the OAS Member states:  http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/ones.aspx?culture=en&navid=282

Any questions regarding submission of applications for this course should be sent to: [email protected]

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS CORRESPONDING TO THE 2009 REGULAR BUDGET 

 LZea-Yonker/George Mason Course-English /USA/2009