Retreats and Training for Humanitarians

CCHN training circle outside cropped

Retreats and Training for Humanitarians

CREATING A SAFE SPACE FOR REFLECTION, SELF-CARE AND FACILITATION TRAINING

A partnership between Initiatives of Change Switzerland (IofC) and the Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN)

 

Background

Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN)

Since 2018, the relationship between the Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN) and Initiatives of Change Switzerland (IofC) has grown into a partnership which allows both organizations to complement each other.

While the CCHN has been rapidly expanding, it has sought to build and nurture a global community and create a safe enough space for humanitarian negotiators to share, learn, and face some of the difficult realities that they find themselves in.

With a view towards learning from IofC’s experience and expertise in managing a global network and community, facilitating dialogues and creating a space for reflection, the CCHN teamed up with IofC to learn more about their approach and tools. What has followed is a vibrant partnership that has combined the expertise of both organizations and allowed for some innovative new trainings and retreats to be developed.

 

CCHN Training

 

This retreat was packed with amazing experiences, from the group, the setting to the diverse sessions.

Marion Brastel, Protection Team Leader - Llançà, Spain, Nonviolent Peaceforce

 

CCHN Training

 

Joint activities

 

  • Thematic Retreats: In collaboration with IofC, the CCHN, conducts thematic retreats for field practitioners working in some of the most challenging humanitarian operations worldwide. Leveraging IofC’s expertise in fostering safe spaces, these retreats provide an opportunity for field practitioners to engage in in-depth peer exchanges and self-care sessions. These retreats are set in IofC’s unique and historical Conference and Seminar Centre located in the tranquil Swiss mountain village of Caux (above Montreux), overlooking Lake Geneva.

 

  • Training of Facilitators: IofC has partnered up with the CCHN to offer effective learning sessions for the CCHN facilitators. Since 2018, more than 40 facilitators attended dedicated training sessions organized with the support of IofC facilitation experts in Jordan, Rwanda, Thailand and in Switzerland.

 

For more information on CCHN: https://frontline-negotiations.org/

Read CCHN's article about the event

 

This thematic retreat has provided a lot of tools and these tools are important for us to take away from this retreat, not just for ourselves but in fact more importantly for our team. As a negotiator, you are always part of a team. The mental and physical health of that team is just as important as the outcome.

Caitlin Longdon, Senior Programme Officer - Kabul, Afghanistan, UNMAS