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MASTER'S DEGREE IN

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP

WITH TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY DUBLIN
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The MA in Global Sustainability Leadership, a collaboration between Technological University Dublin and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), is a transformative educational programme designed to develop leaders capable of addressing the pressing challenges of sustainability, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution.

In today’s rapidly changing world, the impact of climate change, resource depletion, and social inequities demands urgent and informed action. Leaders with specialized skills in sustainability are crucial for navigating and solving these complex challenges. They play pivotal roles in crafting innovative solutions that ensure economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The demand for professionals who can lead such transformative efforts is growing exponentially as organizations worldwide recognize the need to adapt to sustainable practices not only to mitigate risks but also to capitalize on new opportunities presented by a green economy.

This MA in Global Sustainability Leadership is uniquely positioned to meet these needs by providing rigorous academic training, practical insights, and global networking opportunities. This programme is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about applying it to make a real-world impact, leading change, and creating a future where sustainable development is a reality for all. Join us to become part of the next generation of leaders who will shape a sustainable future, addressing the needs of the planet while ensuring prosperity and peace for its inhabitants.

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The MA in Global Sustainability Leadership, a collaboration between Technological University Dublin and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), is a transformative educational program designed to develop leaders capable of addressing the pressing challenges of sustainability, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution.

In today’s rapidly changing world, the impact of climate change, resource depletion, and social inequities demands urgent and informed action. Leaders with specialized skills in sustainability are crucial for navigating and solving these complex challenges. They play pivotal roles in crafting innovative solutions that ensure economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The demand for professionals who can lead such transformative efforts is growing exponentially as organizations worldwide recognize the need to adapt to sustainable practices not only to mitigate risks but also to capitalize on new opportunities presented by a green economy.

This MA in Global Sustainability Leadership is uniquely positioned to meet these needs by providing rigorous academic training, practical insights, and global networking opportunities. This program is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about applying it to make a real-world impact, leading change, and creating a future where sustainable development is a reality for all. Join us to become part of the next generation of leaders who will shape a sustainable future, addressing the needs of the planet while ensuring prosperity and peace for its inhabitants.

DURATION

This is a fully online programme spanning 90 ECTS credits. An ECT credit is equivalent to 25 hours of student work.

Master's Diploma

Completion time:

2 years

(4 semesters)

Postgraduate Certificate

Completion time:

1 year

(2 semesters)

Do you have any questions about this programme?

F.A.Q.

APPLICATION

Applications are open throughout the year and students are accepted on a rolling basis. However, deadlines exist to be considered for a specific semester.

For the inaugural 2024 Cohort

Apply Before:

Semester Start:

APPLY NOW

Curriculum

  1. First Semester (PG + MA)
  • Sustainable Economic Development
  • Sustainability Leadership
  • Entrepreneurial Thinking for Cultural Transformation & Power Balance
  • Innovation, Change and Value Creation
 
  1. Second Semester (PG + MA)
  • Entrepreneurship in Conflict & Peace
  • Critical Thinking, Creativity, Imagination & Perspectives
  • Virtual Peacebuilding
  • Responsible Innovation & Climate Activism

  1. Third Semester (MA)
  • Geopolitics and the Global Economy
  • Systems Thinking and Behavioural Change
  • Analytics for decision making and impact
  • Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship

  1. Fourth Semester (MA)
  • Digital Entrepreneurship & Transformation
  • Emotional Intelligence, Mental Health & Wellbeing for Leadership
  • Leadership for Resolution, Peace building & Sustainability
  • Professional and Personal Development & Reflection
 
Capstone Elements (MA)
  • Applied Research Project
  • Research Methods
  • Summit & Showcase

Frequently Asked Questions

This programme is ideal for:

  • Professionals in Complex Settings: Enhance your ability to lead and manage sustainability solutions in international, regional, governmental, or non-governmental organizations. Benefit from advanced skills that allow you to effectively navigate and resolve complex sustainability challenges.
  • UN System and International Organization Employees: Specifically designed for employees within the UN system and other international entities, this programme enhances your capacity to spearhead sustainability initiatives and make strategic decisions that impact global frameworks.
  • Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs: As current or aspiring leaders in the business world, integrating sustainable practices into your strategic operations not only advances your career but also drives your company’s sustainability agenda forward. Learn to implement cutting-edge sustainable solutions that increase operational efficiency, improve your company’s bottom line, and enhance its reputation in corporate responsibility.
  • Graduate Students and Researchers: Expand your academic horizons and apply your skills in high-level discussions and practical applications of sustainability and leadership. The programme prepares you for challenges in both academia and real-world settings, enhancing your qualifications for high-impact roles.

 

Benefits to Individuals

  • Career Advancement: Equip yourself with the leadership skills and credentials to assume higher roles within any organization or sector. This course increases your marketability and prepares you for significant roles in sustainability.
  • Skill Enhancement: Acquire a comprehensive understanding of sustainable practices, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that set you apart in the professional world.
  • Network Growth: Connect with a global community of professionals, experts, and leaders through the UNITAR partnership, expanding your professional network and opportunities for collaboration.

 

Benefits to Organizations

  • Develop Leaders: Encourage a culture of innovation and proactive problem-solving as employees apply fresh sustainability insights and strategies learned from this course.
  • Operational Efficiency: Implement state-of-the-art sustainability practices that enhance operational efficiency and sustainability, reducing costs and boosting your company’s performance.
  • Enhanced Reputation: Train your team to lead in sustainability, supporting compliance with global standards and boosting your organization’s reputation as a leader in corporate responsibility.

Graduates of the MA in Global Sustainability Leadership will be able to:

  • Drive Sustainability Across Sectors: Apply sustainability principles to influence policy and corporate strategies, enhancing environmental, social, and economic outcomes.
  • Lead in Sustainability and Conflict Resolution: Take on leadership roles requiring complex problem-solving in peacebuilding and conflict management, promoting sustainable development.
  • Champion the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Integrate and promote the SDGs within various organizational frameworks to achieve targeted global impacts.
  • Develop Critical Thinking and Collaborative Skills: Enhance analytical and collaborative skills to address sustainability challenges effectively and foster stakeholder consensus.
  • Evaluate Organizational Sustainability Practices: Critically assess and improve organizational sustainability practices and strategies.
  • Implement Ethical Leadership: Lead with integrity, making decisions that align with ethical standards and sustainability goals.

This MA in Global Sustainability Leadership at TU Dublin is a comprehensive two-year programme designed to cultivate leaders equipped to address global sustainability challenges. This fully online course spans 90 ECTS credits, focusing on core competencies in sustainability, leadership, and innovation.

  1. Year One
  • Semester 1 and 2: Students undertake core modules in Sustainable Economic Development, Sustainability Leadership, Entrepreneurship in Conflict and Peace, and Critical Thinking, Creativity, Imagination, and Perspectives.
  1. Year Two
  • Semester 3 and 4: Continuation of advanced modules including optional electives and continuation of core themes. Students engage in intensive learning sessions, tackling both theoretical and practical aspects of sustainability.
  • Capstone Project: In the final semester, students are required to complete an Applied Research Project that integrates the knowledge acquired throughout the course. This project is designed to demonstrate their comprehensive understanding and ability to apply their learning in real-world scenarios.

The delivery of the course is structured to provide maximum flexibility and engagement, catering to the diverse needs of our global student body. Here’s how we ensure that our delivery aligns with your professional and personal commitments:

  1. Fully Online and Flexible: Our programme is delivered entirely online, designed to fit your schedule. You can access course materials, including lectures, readings, and assignments, whenever it suits you best, making it ideal for professionals managing career and family responsibilities.?
  2. Interactive Learning Platforms: Using our advanced Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Brightspace, we offer a blend of high-quality pre-recorded lecture videos and live sessions. This mix ensures that you receive an educational experience that is both flexible and engaging.
  3. Live and On-Demand Access: Choose to attend live seminars and guest lectures for real-time interaction or utilize the recorded versions for later review. This flexibility ensures that you can engage with the course content actively or passively, depending on your availability.
  4. Rich Interactive Components: Our course includes moderated discussion forums where you can engage with peers and instructors. These forums are designed to foster a vibrant learning community, enabling you to share insights, ask questions, and discuss real-world applications of course concepts.
  5. Scheduled Reviews and Assessments: Each semester includes a structured timeline that integrates teaching weeks and assessment periods. Lectures run from Week 1 to Week 12, with a reading week in Week 7 to provide you with time to reflect and catch up. Assessments are carefully scheduled to give you ample time to prepare, ensuring that you can perform to the best of your abilities.

 

By enrolling in our programme, you join a community of learners who are flexible, engaged, and committed to making a significant impact in the fields of sustainability and leadership. The schedule is crafted to allow you to learn at your own pace while staying connected with a global network of professionals.

The tuition fee for the full programme is €15,000. For more information on the costs, payments, or any related questions please check the following pages on TU Dublin’s website:

  • Students Must Have Completed an Undergraduate Degree: Candidates applying for the Postgraduate Certificate must hold a minimum second-class honors degree (2.2) or higher or equivalent third level qualification in any discipline.
  • Proficiency in English: Applicants whose first language is not English must attach a certified qualification of proficiency in English as the programme is conducted through the medium of English. International students who have studied their undergraduate programme entirely through the medium of English may be exempt from the minimum English Proficiency requirement when applying for postgraduate programmes at TU Dublin. However, this is dependent on the International Student Office receiving certified documentation confirming that the undergraduate programme was studied through the medium of English. This certified documentation should be from the third level Institution where the applicant graduated with his/her undergraduate degree. However, TU Dublin may request that the applicant present an English Proficiency qualification if the International Student Officer is not satisfied with the applicant’s level of English.

 

Applicants not meeting the normal entry requirements but with relevant prior experiential learning may be proposed by the Programme Coordinator for exceptional entry by submitting an Exceptional Entry application to the sub-committee of Faculty Board.

To be considered for the programme apply before: September 2025. Starting on October 2025.

Applications received after the final deadline are evaluated case by case on a rolling basis.

The Project Coordinator is available to help students during the application process. Learners are encouraged to email the Programme Coordinator at elearning.ptp@unitar.org with any questions.

Testimonial

Dr. Daniel Rajmil, CPS ProgrammeDirector,
Universitat Oberta de
Catalunya

Contacts

UNITAR

United Nations Institute for Training and Research
Av. de la Paix 7 bis, 1202 Genève, Switzerland
website link

Ms Alexandra Severino, Programme Coordinator
Online Learning and Education Team
email

Technological University Dublin

Technological University Dublin
Aungier St, Dublin 2, D02 HW71, Ireland
website link

Dr Emma Howard, Programme Chair 
Lecturer, Sustainable Economic Development 
email

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European Economic and political integration

The dissertation is a largely self-directed piece of work that enables a student to explore an issue or theme in depth, building on the skills developed in other modules and the expertise gained through field practices. The dissertation or practice-based final work needs to be embedded in practice or addressing practice-based issues, preferably based on field research. Action-research and work-based research are strongly encouraged.

Elections and Voting as Instruments of Governance

The module presents an account of the history of electoral policy and practice; an overview of the policy elements which comprise an electoral process and their relationships; and an analytical framework for the development of skills in electoral policymaking, administration, and evaluation.

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Final Project

The dissertation is a largely self-directed piece of work that enables a student to explore an issue or theme in depth, building on the skills developed in other modules and the expertise gained through field practices. The dissertation or practice-based final work needs to be embedded in practice or addressing practice-based issues, preferably based on field research. Action-research and work-based research are strongly encouraged.

Direct Democracy (optional)

This module provides information necessary for electoral practitioners and administrators on procedures of modern direct democracy available in a growing number of jurisdictions worldwide. Two types of broad procedures are addressed: those initiated by citizens themselves, like citizens’ initiatives and popular referendums, and and those initiated by governments as mandatory referendums and non-mandatory plebiscites.

Policy Advice and Electoral Reform

In contrast to the previous modules that focus on substantive issues related to the electoral process, this module addresses the ways in which election practitioners might apply this knowledge in real world situations in order to improve the electoral process in their own or other countries around the world. Specifically, the module provides an overview of how practitioners may develop strategies to effect change in the electoral process for the benefit of voters and in support of democratic rights.

Electoral Observation, Evaluation, and Validation

This module provides students with an overview on the history and evolution of international and domestic election observation, the rationales for undertaking different types of monitoring efforts, and the varying operational approaches that are being used by practitioners in the field. At the same time, the module touches upon the evaluation criteria that can be used to render informed judgment on the quality of an electoral process.

Electoral Justice Systems

This module provides students with the knowledge and skills required to examine the models of electoral justice systems, alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanisms and adjudication procedures in order to be able to design, manage and monitor these systems. This course offers a comprehensive overview of formal and informal mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes, as well as policies and practices of preventing them.

Electoral Security and Conflict Prevention

Through case studies and examples, the module provides participants with an overview of the nature of electoral conflict and the vulnerabilities which can trigger such conflict; the analytical skills and frameworks to profile incidents of electoral conflict; and the tools and best practices to prevent, manage, or mediate electoral conflict.

Electoral Integrity and Malpractice

This module aims to identify the vulnerabilities and types of electoral malpractice and mispractice, and to introduce techniques and mechanisms that can prevent or manage such practices. More specifically, the module provides an overview of the typologies of electoral malpractice, the tactics used by perpetrators and investigation techniques used by enforcement stakeholders to prevent (or reveal and halt) electoral malpractice.

Media and Elections

The module is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills required to develop, manage, and monitor media regulations, media relations and rumour control. To do so, the module reviews media-engagement strategies; media relationships and communications techniques; traditional and new media, and their role at all stages of the electoral cycle; media monitoring mechanisms; and future challenges and opportunities.

Civic and Voter Education

The module is designed to provide students with an overview of guiding principles for civic and voter education, and an understanding of the educational mandate as well as legislative frameworks. On the basis of detailed context assessment, it focuses on the evaluation of educational and voter needs, message development as well as potential education programme preparation and implementation.

Elections and Technology

This module combines both a conceptual and practical approaches to understanding election technology applications and the impact and challenges of managing these technologies in different political environments. More specifically, the module focuses on the conceptual frameworks that allow to define election technologies, identify stakeholders, and compare types of applications, and formulate the criteria that guide the assessment, selection and implementation of election technologies.

Marginalized Electorates and Special Voting Programs

The module aims at providing students with: an overview on the sources and types of political marginalization that occur during elections; an explanation of the importance of marginalized electorates, special voting programmes and inclusive electoral environments; and an account of the most relevant principles for designing and implementing administrative and political mechanisms that can inform, enfranchise and empower these otherwise marginalized electorates.

Electoral Operations

This module provides an overview of substantive principles and the most fundamental technical issues, related to planning and implementing electoral operations. It systematically explores the options for the major activities that an electoral management body (EMB) must undertake at election time, and approaches to pursuing them effectively. In doing so, the module takes a substantial operational focus, emphasising the interconnectedness of the various areas of electoral management body (EMB) activity.

Voter Registration and Identification Systems

This module provides the exploration of the conceptual, legal, and administrative aspects of, and models for, voter registration and identifications systems in election administration. Twelve lessons help students to obtain the necessary skills to design, manage, and monitor voter identification/registration systems, and prevent and solve potential problems related to voter registers.

Electoral Planning and Budgeting

This module explores integrated electoral planning and budgeting and presents methodologies to enhance the democratic quality and technical efficiency of electoral administration through effective planning initiatives. More specifically, the module systematically explores the major factors that influence and structure the process of planning and budgeting for (and financing of) elections.

Political Parties, Campaigns, and Political Finance

This module focuses on the nomination and campaign stages, and gives particular attention to the rules governing political parties and candidates throughout the whole electoral process. More specifically, the module provides an overview of political party system features and options, and the impact of political party systems (and methods of financing them) on electoral campaigning and administration.

Understanding and Managing Boundary Delimitation

The module focuses on an overview of the concept of boundary delimitation, including the potential for political controversy and past abuses; a discussion of the analytical techniques that can detect, or measure the impact of, manipulation; and an analysis of the mechanisms that can enhance the credibility and legitimacy of delimitation and prevent potential abuse.

Electoral Systems and Managing Representation

Building on both an extensive literature and on the practical experience of EMBs around the world, the module focuses on an explanation of the importance of electoral systems in translating the democratic right to vote into practice; an overview on the main types of electoral systems; and an account of the most relevant approaches to the analysis and the key policy issues behind the design of these systems.

Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs)

This module focuses on Electoral Management Bodies’ (EMBs) structure and organisation as well as how they can protect their autonomy, exercise management control, safeguard integrity, maintain transparency, ensure efficacy, and professionally implement rules and procedures while keeping the system voter friendly.

Electoral Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

The module presents the sources and contents of the international legal framework, including regional obligations and commitments, to pave the way for subsequent courses that draw on comparative national practices. Moreover, the module profiles stakeholders of electoral legal frameworks, explores their interests, and illustrates how these interests impact the contents of legal frameworks and their implementation.

Elections and Voting as Instruments of Governance

The module presents an account of the history of electoral policy and practice; an overview of the policy elements which comprise an electoral process and their relationships; and an analytical framework for the development of skills in electoral policymaking, administration, and evaluation.

Post-Conflict States and Public Services

This module covers ways to repair the state, cities and public infrastructure after conflicts, and to preserve natural resources during and after wars. It also touches upon the actors involved in such processes and how they are financed. Numerous case studies like the Soviet Union, Iraq, Somalia, and Sudan are examined among else.

Migration, Borders and Refugee Law

Migration has become a major political, economic and security subject in the past 20 years, particularly in Europe and to a lesser extent in the United States. This module explores migration as the result of conflicts, humanitarian and economic crises.

Media, Journalism and Information in Times of Crisis

The media and in particular the new digital media influence significantly the opinion of countries and people internationally. How to deal with media in the age of fake news, tweets, and actors who deliberately twist the news? What is the status of and what to think about the news coming from journalists “embedded” in conflict zones?

Democracy, Gender and Conflict Prevention

Democratic systems have historically proven to be good protections against internal or external conflicts. Representative democracy, multi-party system, free elections – all are assets allowing for less recourse to violence. Is it still the case in the contemporary world since the emergence of new players on the international arena?

Human Societies, Religious or Ethnic Conflicts

Since the 1960s, the phenomenon of decolonization has been accompanied by numerous violent conflicts with the 2000s having seen the explosion of violence, especially on religious grounds. The module covers this historical overview as well as the areas of current tensions and the ways to prevent latent and future conflicts.

Natural Resources, Environment and Sources of Conflict

Access to drinking water, oil, natural and agricultural resources has become sources of tensions between states or components of the same state. The module is devoted to studying these phenomena that can be found on all continents.

Major Players in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation Skills

The module addresses the following questions: Who are the historical players in conflict negotiation? Have there been any new players in the past 20 years? Is the UN in crisis? What role for NGOs?

Independent Study*

This module is designed to offer the opportunity for in-depth evaluation and analysis of specific or cutting-edge topics not offered in detail in the taught curriculum.

Concepts and Principles of International Humanitarian Laws (from Sept 2023)

This module will facilitate the legal literacy of learners to understand the concepts and principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and its relation with humanitarian action and peacebuilding.

Triple Nexus, Localisation and Local Turn (from Sept 2023)

This module aims to investigate how local actors can bridge the gaps between humanitarian, peacebuilding and development initiatives and focus the importance of the localisation and local turn agenda to shape new standards, sustainability and the humanitarian architecture.

Mental health, Psychosocial Support, and Wellbeing in Conflict-affected Areas (from Jan 2022)

This module aims to explore, through a culturally sensitive lens, the impact of mental health and psychosocial problems on the wellbeing of humanitarian and peacebuilding practitioners as well as on the affected populations.

Forced Migration, Protection, and Humanitarianism (from April 2022)

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 nature of migration flows and the corresponding humanitarian response.

Practice-based Study/Dissertation

The dissertation is a self-directed piece of work that enables students to explore an issue or theme in depth building on the skills developed in other modules and the expertise gained through field practices.

Conflict and Post-conflict Research: Methods and Ethics

This module aims to advance knowledge and understanding of research ethics, theory and practice and describes methods available when doing research in conflict and post conflict settings on a chosen subject area.

Post-conflict Stabilisation and Recovery

The module specifically looks at the role of different actors, involved at different levels and in different capacities in post-conflict stabilisation and recovery processes.

Protection of Civilians in Conflict and Post-Conflict Settings

This module reviews the critical issues related to the protection of civilians in conflict and post-conflict contexts by exploring different conceptual and operational frameworks.

Leadership, Team and Self-management in Conflict Settings

This module will allow you to critically examine some of the personal skills (or ‘soft skills’) needed by professionals working in humanitarian action and peacebuilding.

Humanitarian and Peacebuilding Programmes in Urban Conflicts

This module aims to provide an understanding of how to analyse the city and its physical, social, economic, political, cultural and symbolic spaces that play a relief role during a conflict, for urban-based forced migration and for peacebuilding.

Culture-Sensitivity in Conflict and Post-Conflict Settings

This module allows you to understand and deal with core issues related to culture, communication, trust building and culture-sensitivity.

From Conflict Sensitivity to Conflict Transformation

This module equips you with a sound understanding of the complexity of conflicts, including of conceptual frameworks and theoretical debates related to humanitarian action and peacebuilding in complex environments.

Master's Final Project

To complete the Master’s Programme, students are required to write the Master Final Project on a relevant topic of interest. For their dissertation, a personal supervisor will be appointed to mentor the students. The Master in Conflict, Peace and Security is subsequently awarded upon the completion of 60 ECTS.

Crisis Management

The end of the Cold War gave way to the emergence of new geostrategic realities with the proliferation of crises and conflicts, often related to ethnic or religious differences. In this international context, crisis management has become an indispensable political and military requirement. This course addresses the ways to identify, describe and critically assess some of the key current debates in the field of crisis management and related challenges facing the world today.

Mandate Evaluation/ Leadership and Strategic Planning

This course explores methods and challenges in the evaluation of peacebuilding and conflict resolution programmes. It provides an evaluation framework as well as practical suggestions for data collection and analysis, as well as the dissemination of findings.

Corruption, Conflict and Security

This course introduces students to the concept of conflict transformation and how it differs from conflict resolution, management, and prevention. It examines how conflict offers opportunities for constructive change and explores different tools and methods that can be used to seize them. Furthermore, it explores the role of communities and movements that exclude violence in seeking sustainable change.

Corruption, Conflict and Security

This course aims to provide a basic understanding of the concept of corruption, including its definition and measurement, the links between corruption and security, and between corruption and poverty, whilst also laying the foundation for some policy actions aimed at breaking the poverty/corruption cycle. Furthermore, the course examines how civil society could be harnessed to reduce instances of corruption.

Intercultural/Ethnic Conflict and the Management of Diversity

This course explores the intersection among multiculturalism, social conflict, and mediation/dialogue. It explores the nature of modern diversity in relatively stable, mostly democratic, societies, where there are “claims of culture”, that is, where claims to rights, practices, freedoms, entitlements, and benefits are based largely on the cultural attributes and cultural differences of the claimants.

Research Methods

The course encompasses both quantitative and qualitative methods in the discussion of the basic components of the research process: conceptualization and measurement, sample selection, and casual modeling. In addition to teaching techniques and conventions of doing research, the course also familiarises students with the critical issues in the philosophy of science, ethical questions, and how to write a research proposal.

Economy, Environment and Migration

Effective interventions need not necessarily address climate change, migration, and conflict simultaneously but must recognise the layers of relationships among them. The course examines what role mediating factors such as economic opportunity, levels of development, health indicators, and legal status play in the nexus between the environment and migration.

Game Theory

This course examines decision making in interactive environments. Although game theory is mostly economical strategy it has been used in many other branches too, including many military conflicts since its existence.

Philosophy of Peace and Non-Violence

The course is designed to provide the essential knowledge required by civilian, military and police personnel to function effectively in a UN peace operation. The objective of the course is to advance a shared understanding on the basic principles, guidelines, and policies that allow UN peace operations to function effectively in a coherent manner.

Media and Conflict

The media plays a major role in creating the perceptions and views of the “other”, and those perceptions are also often mentioned as causing or contributing to conflicts. Peace journalism is a relatively new transdisciplinary field that might be of interest to professional journalists in both developed and developing countries and to civil society activists, university researchers and others interested in the conflict-media nexus.

Gender Matters

The course relies on the underlying idea that the two fields of gender and conflict are critically interconnected. This connection is important to understand not only to grasp how gender may impact the emergence and unfolding of conflict, but also to assess how conflict affects women, girls, boys and men and sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) in what concerns violence, health impacts, economic activity, and political and civic inclusion.

Human Security in Post-Conflict Interventions

Stemming from the acknowledgement of the complex character of contemporary violence, human security focuses on the protection of individual lives and recognizes that threats to human security can arise from various sources. The goal of the course is to present the concept of human security in terms of an organising standard and to introduce the principles that inform the planning, implementation, and evaluation of human security-oriented interventions in post-conflict settings.

Introduction to Peace Operations and Milestones in UN peacekeeping

The course is designed to provide the essential knowledge required by civilian, military and police personnel to function effectively in a UN peace operation. The objective of the course is to advance a shared understanding on the basic principles, guidelines, and policies that allow UN peace operations to function effectively in a coherent manner.

Conflict Resolution

The course explores the different explanations offered by researchers regarding the emergence of conflicts as an almost unavoidable facet of human life. It outlines the main conflict theories, their core elements as well as the conflict resolution mechanisms that some of them entail. In subsequent stages, tools that can be used to understand conflicts and to design adapted conflict resolution initiatives are described.

Master in

CONFLICT, PEACE AND SECURITY

TOPICS

When inter- and intra-state conflicts are not handled carefully, systematic violence can affect the political, social, and economic realms of a country or region. By understanding the dynamics of a conflict, practitioners working in the field can develop plans that are more grounded in the actual context. The goal of the course is to provide participants with an advanced knowledge of conflict analysis principles and skills.

The course explores the different explanations offered by researchers regarding the emergence of conflicts as an almost unavoidable facet of human life. It outlines the main conflict theories, their core elements as well as the conflict resolution mechanisms that some of them entail. In subsequent stages, tools that can be used to understand conflicts and to design adapted conflict resolution initiatives are described.

The course is designed to provide the essential knowledge required by civilian, military and police personnel to function effectively in a UN peace operation. The objective of the course is to advance a shared understanding on the basic principles, guidelines, and policies that allow UN peace operations to function effectively in a coherent manner.

Stemming from the acknowledgement of the complex character of contemporary violence, human security focuses on the protection of individual lives and recognizes that threats to human security can arise from various sources. The goal of the course is to present the concept of human security in terms of an organising standard and to introduce the principles that inform the planning, implementation, and evaluation of human security-oriented interventions in post-conflict settings.

The course relies on the underlying idea that the two fields of gender and conflict are critically interconnected. This connection is important to understand not only to grasp how gender may impact the emergence and unfolding of conflict, but also to assess how conflict affects women, girls, boys and men and sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) in what concerns violence, health impacts, economic activity, and political and civic inclusion.

The media plays a major role in creating the perceptions and views of the “other”, and those perceptions are also often mentioned as causing or contributing to conflicts. Peace journalism is a relatively new transdisciplinary field that might be of interest to professional journalists in both developed and developing countries and to civil society activists, university researchers and others interested in the conflict-media nexus.

The overall objective of this course is to provide students with some theoretical-philosophical tools that will enable them to make informed and critical analyses of concrete situations of peace and violence in human relations, and to recognise and nurture the human competences to transform conflicts peacefully.

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This course examines decision making in interactive environments. Although game theory is mostly economical strategy it has been used in many other branches too, including many military conflicts since its existence.

Effective interventions need not necessarily address climate change, migration, and conflict simultaneously but must recognise the layers of relationships among them. The course examines what role mediating factors such as economic opportunity, levels of development, health indicators, and legal status play in the nexus between the environment and migration.

The course encompasses both quantitative and qualitative methods in the discussion of the basic components of the research process: conceptualization and measurement, sample selection, and casual modeling. In addition to teaching techniques and conventions of doing research, the course also familiarises students with the critical issues in the philosophy of science, ethical questions, and how to write a research proposal.

This course explores the intersection among multiculturalism, social conflict, and mediation/dialogue. It explores the nature of modern diversity in relatively stable, mostly democratic, societies, where there are “claims of culture”, that is, where claims to rights, practices, freedoms, entitlements, and benefits are based largely on the cultural attributes and cultural differences of the claimants.

This course aims to provide a basic understanding of the concept of corruption, including its definition and measurement, the links between corruption and security, and between corruption and poverty, whilst also laying the foundation for some policy actions aimed at breaking the poverty/corruption cycle. Furthermore, the course examines how civil society could be harnessed to reduce instances of corruption. 

This course introduces students to the concept of conflict transformation and how it differs from conflict resolution, management, and prevention. It examines how conflict offers opportunities for constructive change and explores different tools and methods that can be used to seize them. Furthermore, it explores the role of communities and movements that exclude violence in seeking sustainable change.

This course explores methods and challenges in the evaluation of peacebuilding and conflict resolution programmes. It provides an evaluation framework as well as practical suggestions for data collection and analysis, as well as the dissemination of findings.

The end of the Cold War gave way to the emergence of new geostrategic realities with the proliferation of crises and conflicts, often related to ethnic or religious differences. In this international context, crisis management has become an indispensable political and military requirement. This course addresses the ways to identify, describe and critically assess some of the key current debates in the field of crisis management and related challenges facing the world today.

To complete the Master’s Programme, students are required to write the Master Final Project on a relevant topic of interest. For their dissertation, a personal supervisor will be appointed to mentor the students. The Master in Conflict, Peace and Security is subsequently awarded upon the completion of 60 ECTS.

Understanding Conflict and Conflict Analysis

When inter- and intra-state conflicts are not handled carefully, systematic violence can affect the political, social, and economic realms of a country or region. By understanding the dynamics of a conflict, practitioners working in the field can develop plans that are more grounded in the actual context. The goal of the course is to provide participants with an advanced knowledge of conflict analysis principles and skills.

Scuola Superiore Santanna

In Italy is a public university that works in the field of applied sciences and offers PhD programmes, Master degrees, professional courses and continuing education programmes. The Scuola Sant’Anna’s scientific and research activities in the field of social sciences concentrate on conflict management, human rights, emergency response, democratisation, and good governance. Ever since 1998, the Scuola has developed extensive experience in electoral policy, practice, assistance and studies. Main activities carried out in this field include electoral trainings to election missions support and mentoring, technical assistance to national electoral commissions as well as capacity building of national observers.

Programmes in partnership: Master’s Degree in Electoral Policy and Administration

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Institute For Democracy And Electoral Assistance

Is a global intergovernmental organization with a mission to support sustainable democracy building. It has 29 Member States representing Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.

Programmes in partnership: Master’s Degree in Electoral Policy and Administration.

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Technological University Dublin

Deeply embedded in our region, TU Dublin has campuses in Dublin City Centre in Grangegorman, Aungier Street and Bolton Street, and one each in Blanchardstown and in Tallaght, and, through our major infrastructural development plan, we are currently investing over €500 million in new, state-of-the-art, technology-enabled facilities to enhance our students’ experience.

While TU Dublin is already a leader in STEM disciplines, the University also supports the largest cohort of students of business, media, culinary arts, and the creative and performing arts. We are passionate about life-long learning and, as the largest provider of part-time education, we make an important contribution to the economic life of Ireland, enabling capacity building for the future.

Programmes in partnership: Master’s Degree in Global Sustainability Leadership

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Oxford Brookes University

is a public university located in the United Kingdom. Set in a historic student city, Oxford Brookes is one of the UK’s leading modern universities and enjoys an international reputation for teaching excellence and innovation as well as strong links with business and industry. Oxford Brookes has been named as one of the top 50 young (under 50 years old) universities in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2018 – and is the only UK university to make the list. The Master’s programme is run by the Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP), which is based within the School of Architecture and which provides a unique academic setting for the study of international development, conflict, disaster management, urbanisation, humanitarianism and human rights.

Programmes in partnership: Master’s Degree in Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding.

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The Open University of Catalonia

(Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, UOC) in Spain is an innovative Internet-based university that offers lifelong learning opportunities meant to help society advance and accelerate its development into the knowledge society. Its educational model is based on interactive e-learning methodologies, cutting-edge research, and personalization, which effectively enables students to become more competitive in their respective professional fields. The UOC forms part of an integrated network otf open universities globally and actively contributes to and benefits from this shared global knowledge space.

Programmes in partnership: Master’s Degree in Conflict, Peace and Security

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