Testimonials

Over the years and through its programmes and training courses, IPDTC has received comprehensive feedback from participants, partners and colleagues. The following are excerpts from the reviews and feedback received; for more information, please see our IPDTC Participant Reviews brochure.
“Thank you for a most enjoyable and rewarding programme. Making Peace Processes Work is an ideal overview of options, approaches and strategies for Executive Leaders in government departments, religious and secular communities, NGOs and academia, who are venturing into conflict mediation and peacebuilding. It is also beneficial for those of us who have engaged in peacebuilding for a number of years, and wish to ensure that we continue to work at the cutting‐edge of praxis.”

– Professor Brian Walker MBE
The University of Winchester

“Under your leadership, the five-day training [Preventive Diplomacy and Advanced Mediation] and follow-up technical assistance provided to UN staff from the region was highly appreciated by all those attending. Besides acquainting them with the latest tools and methodologies, the programme was an opportunity for participants with different backgrounds and responsibilities within the UN system, to develop a clear and common understanding of what preventative diplomacy and advance mediation entail, both conceptually as well as specific to UNIFIL’s requirements in south Lebanon.”

– Milos Strugar
Director, Political and Civil Affairs, UNIFIL

“IPDTC offers high quality training that meets the training needs of professionals working for peace. The professionalism and charisma of the trainers adds value, along with the emphasis on the expertise of participants. The training is valuable to all professionals working for peace including knowledge, tools and understanding of key actors in the field. In Cluj, the trainings were well organised and had a localised approach that emphasised making professionals feeling at home in the city.”

– Erica Belanger
Forum for Youth Advocacy, UK

“I am feeling more confident when talking about armed conflicts and peace building in different settings and recognise that more knowledge gives more confidence in believing in positive changes and searching for them in every day life. I have increased interest in learning in this area. I have also increased confidence in dialoguing and interest in finding about that. A strong wish for contributing to peace building.”

– Annette Giertsen
Senior Adviser, Save the Children Norway

“The training was of high quality: Topics covered were exhaustive: The trainer was very knowledgeable and articulate. Support services (the provision of on-spot materials as well as facilitation) were of high standard, too. The methodology used allowed participants to grasp concepts, grapple with tools and be practical in order to have a hands-on approach in measuring impact and effectiveness of programs/projects, especially in peace-building. Some of the issues remembered include preparation, implementation and utilization phases of Monitoring & Evaluation, Baseline, Indicators, Assumptions, as well as elements of M&E on the vertical logic of the Log frame.”

– James Giahwue
Civil Affairs Officer, United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)

“I just wanted to pass along my thanks and appreciation to the entire team. It was such a pleasant and hospitable environment from pick ups at the train station to fruit kabobs during breaks and to getting assistance form an intern on how to find my hotel in Barcelona! Always service with a smile as well. Keep up the great work.The training was the best I’ve attended and love PATRIR’s approach to the field of peacebuilding. Although they were long days, the sessions were always interesting and kept us engaged and I felt like I could keep on going all night. I can really see how the training has evolved and improvements made over the years because it was excellent from beginning to end.”

– Terry Chemij
Fellowship for African Relief, Canada

“I believe that shared experience of these one to two weeks training, brainstorming, and vivid, open-minded discussions not only broadened horizons of the participants, but also equipped with new strength and energy all those people committed to contribute – due to their own efforts – to making our globe, one’s region, one’s country a safer and happier place to live.”

– Natalya Belitser
Researcher, Pylyp Orlyk Institute for Democracy, Ukraine

“The PATRIR training was valuable on both the professional and personal levels, interacting with other peace builders reaffirmed my belief not only that I was doing something meaningful and true to my principles but also a career that I am passionate about. The vibrant dialogue, friendships nurtured and anecdotes from personal experiences from the field were an eye opener but most of all the precious few days of training gave me the chance to put my thoughts to paper in a way that I had never done before. What made this experience so valuable was that whether peace building was seen from a donor lens or through the eyes of a participant from a country experiencing conflict or in a post-conflict context we all found common ground in a ‘safe space’ with warm hosts from PATRIR.”

– Lana Captan Ghandour
UNDP, Lebanon

“The training in Cluj was really the best thing ever! It gave me the opportunity to realize where I really want to go for my professional future. The experience in Cluj gave me a wave of fresh air. Both courses allowed me to think “out-of-thebox” in terms of new approaches to solving conflict. Specially the PCTR training has had a tremendous impact on me in terms of seeing “conflict” from a number of different perspectives, which I previously didn’t think about and if I may say, helps me to deal with “conflict” from a neutral or impartial point of view. The “Designing Peacebuilding Programmes” has enhanced my skills and abilities when designing development programmes. In this regard, as a programme manager, in charge of designing and implementing development projects, the approach used by PATRIR, which I would described as “learning by doing it” has really helped me to apply a different set of tools. I would like to thank you again and congratulate the wonderful team of PATRIR for your kindness and wonderful hospitality. Thanks again for the great experience! The Cluj experience has really exceeded my expectations!”

– Nicolas Martin
Programme Officer, UNDP Governance Unit, Dakar, Sénégal

“IPDTC-PATRIR training programs are tremendously useful for a range of stakeholders in that they integrate critical thematic areas, offering new approaches for analysis and practice that serve the advancement of peacebuilding as a discipline and practice. The programs offer the full workshop experience (an increasing rarity these days), in ideal settings, with experienced practitioners coming from all regions which allows rich exchange, top trainers and a full cultural experience. I always encourage my colleagues to look into IPDTC-PATRIR programs, as I don’t think it gets much better, and I urge you to continue!””

– Erin McCandless
Consultant/Evaluator: United Nations Development Program, UNDP New York / Afghanistan;
Senior Consultant: The Peacebuilding Initiative, Humanitarian Policy and Conflict
Research (HPCR), Harvard University & HPCR International, Founder and Co-Executive
Editor: Journal of Peacebuilding and Development Zimbabwe/Global, USA

“Just came across this three-word sentence “Learning is digesting” and couldn’t resist sending you this email to tell you that day after day I am realizing how important the DPP training has been to me. I also realized the importance of giving time for things to sink in. The training has given me great tools that i am using in my daily workin designing PB projects, or in reporting to donors, etc. am now, more than ever before, able to grasp complex ideas and concepts and able to represent them or convey them in a much clearer fashion. Best part, I am able to enjoy my work even more, especially when I get to tweak, twist and bend some of the existing tools, or represent them in nice big wall sized visuals, or sometimes create some of my own basic models. Thank you !!”

– Jean-Paul Chami
Program Manager, Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation Specialist and Trainer, Forum for Development, Culture & Dialogue (FDCD), Lebanon

“Thanks for the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful training. The trainer is well experienced and showed lots of authority in his field which was very import to the success of the program. The support provided was overwhelming. As for the methodology, at first the content and materials were unabatedly flowing like a formal academic program but was later checked and changed into an interactive forum following feedbacks we provided. Important issues that reflects my experience of the training includes, Strategic Planning, Conflict assessment and Baseline study, types of change (desired and actual) and Monitoring and Evaluation.”

– Mark Howe
Civil Affairs Officer, United Nations Mission to Liberia (UNMIL)

“As a professional development practitioner I had taken many courses on Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Programmes/Projects. The training on Developing Strategic Tools for Measuring Impact and Effectiveness of Peacebuilding Projects and Interventions has broadened my knowledge and understanding of the tools and skills for systematic and structured ways for measuring Impact and Effectives of Pecebuilding Projects and Interventions. The training is very important and timely given to equip Civil Affairs Field Staff on Monitoring and Evaluation concepts, tools and processes.”

– Solomon Woldemichael
Civil Affairs Officer United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)

“The training was very relevant to me because it added additional knowledge and skills in Peacebuilding. The presentation by the trainer even made it easier to comprehend. The quality of support given during the program was very encouraging and satisfactory. The quality of methodology and content was well presented. More practical engagement of participants in group work enables me to quickly understand the concept.”

– Richelieu Wollor
Civil Affairs Officer, United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)

“Participating at the IPDTC Autumn Peace Academy in Cluj in 2009 was a very inspiring experience, especially when you come from the field. Seeing things from the outside always help to identify gaps in our daily work and this training gave me tools to overcome them. It is incredible to see how other people from different backgrounds and professional experiences interact and react to similar conflict and violent situations. Very touching to see how many people are committed to the same cause, to build peace one way or the other to make this world a better place to live in. It takes time to think out of the box. However, a week isolated in Cluj was a good opportunity to analyze what I was actually doing in the field and get ideas on how to adjust or improve the different projects that I work on. Learning is always an enriching experience. And when you are able to apply something in your daily work, as I did, despite the time constraints, agendas and difficult contexts, then it makes a difference. Beside the theoretical part and practical exercises, I will never forget PATRIR’s staff commitment to peace nor the other participants engagement as well.”

– Panagiota Voidonikola
Project Officer, IQOC, UNOPS, Jordan

“My participation at an IPDTC training was a particularly valuable experience. I found it very good to have participants with different backgrounds working on the same issue. This enabled us to have new insights and to understand our different roles and objectives better. The trainer’s broad experience and his sensitivity to react to participants’ needs was very useful, as we could work in an interactive approach on ongoing projects in conflict zones using the newly learnt participatory tools. Outcomes and feedback to this teamwork I later used in my project. The overall organization was also very professional. The PATRIR staff were taking care of all administrative and logistical details before, during and after the training, and provided a personalized follow up of the trainings’ results. I wish to thank PATRIR for a great week in Cluj!”

– Stefan Roman
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, DRC

“IPDTC actually opened up a whole new world for me. I never realised that “we the development workers” can have such an impact on peace or on conflict. IPDTC made it very clear and I am proud and privileged to be part of this group. I also enjoyed very much all the sharing with the participants from the world over. I also had a great opportunity of self reflection, self realisation and internalisation of PEACE as skill, means and goal. Overall, it was a very enriching, empowering and inspiring experience. I can proudly say: yes, I can make a difference.”

– Sushma Bajracharya
GTZ, Kathmandu, Nepal

“This training [Systemic Peacebuilding, Conflict Transformation & Post-War Recovery, and Reconciliation (PCTR)] provides a level of professional skills transferring that cannot be found in the peacebuilding community anywhere else. Coupled with the charming staff and high-quality operations, this training is not to be missed.”

– Micael Bogar
Chemonics International, USA

“I will not hesitate to unreservedly recommend this program [Systemic Peacebuilding, Conflict Transformation & Post-War Recovery, and Reconciliation (PCTR)] for all actors in the peacebuilding field. I dare say that without it you stand the risk of missing the mark, with it your chance of success in your endeavours are quite significantly enhanced!”

– Paul Ebikwo
Civil Affairs Officer, UNAMID, Sudan

“Of all the classes and trainings I have taken in the field of International Peace and Conflict Resolution, some were curious pastimes, some have highlights that stick with me, some offer trivia I use occasionally, and some I use frequently.  I keep the notes from the PATRIR training close in my office as valuable tools, not just for direct planning of individual projects, but as useful concepts to weigh plans for the future of the agency.

I have been a part of many startups and innovative programs in my career and was very comfortable with my planning skills.  I went to PATRIR to brush up.  There were two things that made me take notice.  One was the very practical planning process they taught.  I found myself spotting new insights well after I thought I had the plan down pat.  The other was the trainers’ gentle reminders to the class to think bigger.  I have long been frustrated by the huge sums of money going into underdeveloped regions with no real change over time.  The trainers understand the necessity of plugging into larger change systems, rather than the simple feasibility of funding individual projects.

The IPDTC staff was far more considerate than most training teams.  They arranged transport from the airport to the hotel.  Cluj is actually fairly easy to navigate once you know how, but upon arrival, it would have been somewhat bewildering.  They arranged for fabulous meals and constant, really nice snacks.  They were also helpful with calling cabs or anything else one could reasonably ask.

The city of Cluj-Napoca was beautiful.  Its history is apparent in its bones, from remnants of the city wall to centuries-old buildings in the city centre, to the Soviet-style apartment buildings on the road to the airport, to the fenced yards of near suburbs.  One evening I happened to get an English speaking cab driver.  I asked him to give me a driving tour of the city.  He seemed to think that was an extravagant cost, but Cluj cabs are cheap.  It only cost about 12 lei, or $4 US.

Overall I highly recommend the PATRIR trainings, for the quality of the training and for the networking potential.  You will meet amazing people there.”

– Karen Dickman
Executive Director and Water/Sanitation Program Manager, Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy, USA

“Having spent the past couple of months doing various training courses on various subjects, I didn’t know what to expect from the Designing Peacebuilding Programs. It came as a very nice surprise. The course was excellently organised in terms of logistics, the whole team was amazingly enthusiastic and friendly and course content was the perfect balance of academic and practical. I really enjoyed working on my actual project during the exercises and I think it shows the adaptability and practicality of the course that it is possible to use it in your actual working scenario. I can’t wait to take my learnings back to the rest of the team in the field. Despite it being a very intense week, by the end of it I felt I actually had more motivation and energy to take back to my work.

– Emily White
AGEH Germany

“The training in Cluj was a wonderful experience with great facilitators and amazing participants from all over the world. One of the best things about the training was the possibility to pause for a while, to analyze your work and then to discuss and share ideas with colleagues from different backgrounds. I also appreciate the way PATRIR built a strong link between your work and the training during the workshop. I have attended a number of trainings, but I can honestly say that this is one of the most useful trainings that I have also been able to utilize in my day-to-day work.

– Maija Saarni
Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid, Fida International Finland

“The two PATRIR courses I attended in November 2009 gave me a deeper insight in many of the complex issues regarding peacebuilding and peacekeeping. More especially, they enabled me to understand why peacebuilding could be effective in one context but ineffective in another. The experience after Cluj-Napoca makes me to conclude that the relevance of PATRIR trainings is best appreciated when one returns to the field.  My regards to the entire PATRIR team, hoping that I shall one day make it again to Cluj-Napoca!

– Walters T T SAMAH, PhD
Civil Affairs Officer, OIC Head, Parliamentary Support & Liaison Office UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti

“In general I felt that it had successfully met its strategic aims and objectives. The sessions increased my awareness of the impact of strategic peace building on society. I learnt about the difficulties facing people from other countries and reflected on the journey we have made in NI/Northern Ireland. Discussions revealed that similar themes were emerging among both local and international participants. I felt that the programme was the beginning of an effort to generate fresh thinking personally on the work I have been doing and the work I hoped to carry forward. I became more aware of the impact of a joined up approach and this increased my own capacity to work in this sector more effectively. I believe that the reflective aspect of the programme encouraged more progressive ways of thinking and was a positive development in encouraging thinking “outside the box”. The first day helped to support understanding of the context that other international participants faced and also helped me to critique our peace process and the vacuum still existing. It was helpful to have space as a group from NI to problem solve together on that vacuum which is feeding into violence from “new” groups in society. It became apparent that the structure of the sessions contributed to the overall success of the programme. The visual aspect of the approach to the learning was beneficial for me with both the floor mapping exercise and the ‘talking walls’ offering an opportunity to see/share the learning from each small group. The training specifically allowed us as groups to address internal differences which in turn improves the internal peace building process and has helped increase our ability to engage with other organisations.

– Mary Montague
Executive Director, TIDES Training, Northern Ireland

“From the training I received a really professional experience in peacebuilding. I’m very glad for having participated in the training. I’d never before been involved in such an interactive and unique “brain storm.” The practical materials and views I obtained from the trainings I’ve seen begun to apply in my courses on Regional Conflictology, Comparative Politics, and Geopolitics. Essentially, in seminars in Comparative Politics I added the practical views from the trainings, for instance how going peace dialogues in Northern Ireland, South Eastern Europe and other conflict regions assisted in addressing conflicts in those areas. In the Regional Conflictology classes I use presentation models from the PATRIR trainings. These have proven helpful for discussing between graduate students in political science about case studies of peacebuilding issues in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition after my seminars, local scholars from political science have gradually begun to develop their thinking from the ‘hard security’ paradigm to effective approaches to engaging with conflicts through peacebuilding. This is also an important achievement. They now try to use critical and constructive analysis to any current issues, and create visons from the regional perspectives while rooting them in local realities and conditions. I hope for long term professional cooperation with the great PATRIR team!!!

– Oybek Mahmudov
National University of Uzbekhistan

“The three weeks I spent at the PATRIR training seminar in 2002 I count as the most mind-extending experience of my life which has been of inestimable help to me in my own peacebuilding activities. I constantly urge others to take advantage of this experience.

– Eirwen Harbottle
Generals for Peace, UK

“I found the course to be expertly taught and efficiently administered. The content was germane and perfectly designed to be of immediate utility to the practitioner and theorist alike.”

– Lt. Col. Justin Holt
Stabilisation Unit, UK

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation for you and your great team members to welcome us to Cluj and give us the wonderful experience of the Spring Peace Academy. I highly appreciated the well organized training of the PCTR. By participating in the training, I could see conflict situations in a deeper, more holistic manner.

It was a good experience for me to meet with peace related workers from all over the world to share our experiences and ideas for the better world.

I am impressed above all by the trainers and their excellent knowledge and information (sources) as resource people. I learned a lot from the stories of their experiences and actual histories of conflicts. Exchanging experience and information with other participants also enriched my learning experience.

Lastly but not least, I am also very grateful for the administrative and logistical support provided before, during and even after the training. The notes of the training (62 pages!!) will be my precious text book on conflict management. I am also glad that you and your team will support us in the future as alumni of the training and I count on your support. I am sure that we will have other chances to meet up and exchange our experiences and ideas in the future.”

– Kei Tagawa
Civil Affairs Section, Sector West Coordinator Daloa Regional HQ, ONUCI, Cote d’Ivoire

“I hope it will not be a surprise if I tell you that I miss you all and the training process as well. During the training I told Kai I would like to have the inspiration I received during the training process last for a long time and asked for sum pills for that 🙂 And here I am writing this feed back three months after the training ended and the inspiration and enthusiasm is still lasting. You, PATRIR team, really have the skill of encouraging people to think more widely and more deeply about the issues we discussed during the training. My stay in Cluj really changed my thoughts and understanding of peacebuilding activities very thoroughly. Now I know what I had done well before the training and what I should do to succeed. I really appreciate all you have done for us and hope soon we will make you proud for having us at the training. With gratitude and respect.

– Nino Tlashadze
Human Rights Centre, Georgia

“For any one who is really intending to make use of practical knowledge that could be professionally reflected in his or her work, they have to seek an opportunity to attend one or two of the high quality trainings of the International Peace and Development Training Centre. I experience daily the feeling that I chose the right place. I have acquired high sensitivity to conflict since the training and found it extremely useful in my day to day activities. Much more importantly, the value is felt greater day after day. My profession is mainly about responding and reporting on violence. This requires that I work closely with other sections, working in advocating violence prevention and disseminating a culture of peace and peacebuilding. As a UN staff, the training was a milestone for my future work in peace building and conflict transformation The organizational level and quality of the training is very high. I also like the continual follow up of the impact of the training on the participants work. This is very much appreciated. I admire the full knowledge and experience of the trainers with their subjects.

– Anwar GUBARA
Protection Officer, Protection of Civilians, UNMIS Khartoum/HQ

“Thank you and your unique team for creating space where I could meet my “unknown myself” and find a lot of “Aha-moments”. Participation in the training for me was something that launched my personal transformation process and it, in turn, leads to positive changes in my work and in my life. My participation in the training programme encouraged the UCCG team to start the process of development of an International Program for Studying Restorative Practices to Build Common Ground. Warm wishes from Kyiv.

– Alyona Horova
Lecturer and Researcher, Ukranian Centre for Common Ground, Ukraine

“What to say about this wonderful experience? Apart from the training which was excellent (quality of content and quality of trainers), it was a rich human experience. As a new worker in international cooperation and more specifically in peacebuilding, it was a great opportunity to meet with experienced peace workers, and it was a much richer experience to meet with so many interesting and wonderful people. Thanks again for this opportunity and I am sure that your future participants will think the PCTR training a valuable one!

– Camille Chatelain
IOM Moldova

“As a peace and conflict studies graduate student, the PCTR not only reinforced many of the concepts I have been learning, but added valuable insights and perspectives from professionals working to bring lasting peace to violent conflicts around the globe. The courses offered by PATRIR are indispensible for both students and experienced professionals alike.

– Mark S. Cogan
Graduate Student, European University Centre for Peace Studies, Austria

“The training has been an excellent opportunity to introduce participants into the peacebuilding large scope and exercise on how to strategically think, adopt a holistic approach and analyze the multi-level steps and dimensiions of engaging in peacebuilding. It also helped to build substantively on peacebuilding concepts and the framework for operational work: the ground for more specific contextual aspects in peacebuilding programming.

– Angeles Martinez
Danish Refugee Council, Spain

“The PATRIR training on “Peacebuilding, Conflict Transformation & Post-War Stabilisation, Recovery and Reconciliation” had an enormous effect on me. It changed my professional view on conflict transformation. The intense training was held in a very interactive way. We shared a lot of our experiences, had inspiring discussions and fruitful brainstorming sessions. Together with the high level of input this created a great working atmosphere. Also the follow up material was done absolutely perfectly and provided in a short amount of time. The training was organized in a way that left enough free time to engage with peace practitioners from all over the world. I learned more in this training than in any other training before and I made more contacts to other peace practitioners than in any other training before. Highly recommendable!

– Nik Engel
Academy for Conflict Transformation, Germany

“I got new ideas, which served as insights into my academic work and subsequent work (in particular, as civil affairs officer in the UN Operation in Burundi and member of the PBI – Nepal project committee). I also learnt useful tools for my subsequent work (e.g. conflict mapping tools) and I broadened my network of contacts.

– Cecile Mouly
The Carter Center (Ecuador Office)

“Useful Workshop, not least as an opportunity to gather different officers together to look at commonwealth preventive action from their perspective. Useful basic grounding on the theoretical framework, and liked the way the theory was applied specifically to Commonwealth work and practice.

– Sabitha Raju
Good Offices Section, Commonwealth Secretariat

“The trainings in Cluj are very relevant to my work, the course contents are rich, the principal facilitator is excellent and the learning processes as well as the exchange experiences among the participants are very useful and helpful for practitioners in peace building and conflict mitigations.

– Diah Januarti
Program Manager, Peacebuilding and Conflict Mitigation Office of Democracy and Governance, USAID/ Indonesia

“The course (IPDTC) really helped me to understand the praxis of peacebuilding by bringing together the theory and the on-the-ground experience of implementing peacebuilding projects. It was very well delivered using a training style that offered loads of information with space for reflection and participation that was highly motivational and inspirational as well as being a great space for international networking with other committed and dedicated peacebuilders. Most importantly, it offered material that I have used over and over in my peacebuilding work since then.

– Anu Pillay
UNIFEM Transitional Justice and Gender Advisor attached to the Liberian, TRC Monrovia, Liberia

“I have been working in the field of Peace Building and Conflict Sensitivity for more than two years, but after participating in the Systemic Peacebuilding course in UK I really learned to do Peacebuilding in a systematic way and to improve the quality of the work that I do! Also, the programme gave me an opportunity to learn form other participants what they do and how they work to promote peace in their contexts. During the course through the facilitators and friends, I regained the motivation to work for peace; which I had lost due to the situation in Sri Lanka. I came back to Sri Lanka with Hope! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity.

– Dilshan Annaraj
Programme Coordinator – Peace Building, World Vision – Sri Lanka

“Clear explanation of programming tools and of major elements relating to the peacebuilding sector. Good group size, with ample opportunities for productive interaction. Enthusiasm and knowledge, particularly from practical experience of the trainers.

– Andrew Byrne
European Commission, DG External Relation, Brussels

“Building peace needs commitment and competence. Both are saliently present in big events regularly done by IPDTC and PATRIR in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Lots of people are benefitting from these, both directly and indirectly, through educational outreach and multiplier effects. For me, as a practitioner, scholar and NGO leader, participation in the Spring Peace Academy of 2009 meant not just updating my knowledge and database, but seriously enlarging my vision and acquiring wonderful new contacts.

– George Khutsishvili
Director of the International Center on Conflict and Negotiation (ICCN), Tblisi

“IPDTC-PATRIR training programs are based on a very comprehensive view on conflict, violence and peace, providing a much-needed but less-often heard peace perspective on issues that are important to us all. The programs challenge underlying assumptions, stimulate creative thinking about -what seem to be- intractable problems, and offer practical analytical tools. With ample time for sharing personal and professional experiences, I always came away feeling enriched, inspired and up to the task (again)! All the best with your work and let me know if you think we can help you (we’ll do the same)!

– Jeannine Suurmond Kreddha
International Peace Council for States, Peoples and Minorities, The Hague

“Our training in Romania in May 2004 and the reflective peace building programme in London on Dec 1-3, 2008 really helped me understand fully the immense context of Peace Building. The reflective peace building training in London also enriched my knoweldge in carrying out peace-related efforts in Mindanao. While we were having the training in London, my office was preparing a reflective peace building workshop participated in by various partners from track 1 to 3. We conducted the activity right after my return to Mindanao. The result of the workshop is a documentation of the process, changes in the personal, relational, cultural and structural aspects of the people and institutions we engaged. The documentation will (hopefully) be published as a Book as our contribution to the development of literature related to peace building activities.

– Suharto A. Abas
Area Manager, GoP-UN ACT for Peace Programme, The Phillipines

“The training course that Kai Brand-Jacobsen conducted in October 2005 in London for the First Global Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace opened my eyes to a whole world of peacebuilding that I had no idea existed. It was heartening to learn about the practical, on-the-ground conflict transformation work going on in hot spots all over the world, none of which is reported in the media. It was also extremely helpful to me in my own work and personal life to learn of the extensive, well-developed body of theory of peacebuilding and conflict transformation that is the foundation for the practice.

– Michael Abkin, Ph.D.
Director of Operations, National Peace  Academy Project

“During my tenure as Executive Director of The Peace Alliance, Campaign for a US Department of Peace, IPDTC conducted a training in 2006 in the USA where grassroots activists from all over the country were moved by the depth and breadth of his knowledge and expertise in the field of peacebuilding. Not only did we receive information and a tool-kit of pragmatic skills, Kai offered us a realistic view of where we are and where we are going, based on his actual experience in the field. Bridging theory to practice, Kai is a demonstration of being the change, and those who are lucky enough to experience his trainings will never look at peacebuilding in the same way. He is laying foundation stones for a culture and practice of peace.

– Dot Maver
Director, National Peace Academy Project

“The DPP Training Program provided me with a very helpful overview over the state-of-art tools for conflict analysis and designing and evaluating peacebuilding programs and projects. It gave me also a chance to work with these tools, offering thereby an excellent possibility for reflection and improvement of my work. The discussions with other participants allowed for a deeper understanding of the country context (Nepal) as well as to get acquainted with the work of many organizations working in the same field.” … “Very insightful, down to earth, realistic, good mix of practice and theory, well designed.” … “It is a very good training which has the perfect blind with the theories and the practicality. Since all he group works was with our own context which has help us to give more knowledge on reality.” … “A rare and enriching opportunity” .. “A rare and enriching opportunity” … “It was very wonderful. Learned a lot of further consolidated knowledge & will help in designing effective program” … “Lets do things together not in isolations, minimize overlaps, build synergy, leverage resources.”

– Collection of feeback from participants to the Designing Peacebuilding Programmes training, Kathmandu, Nepal
Organisational affiliations: Red Cross Society-Bangladesh, Embassy of Switzerland-Nepal, NRC-Pakistan, SFCG-Nepal, CARE-Nepal, MAHUREE-Nepal, International Alert-Nepal, etc.