As part of its continued efforts to ensure that peacebuilding work builds communities without creating more conflict, UNDP recently hosted a training workshop to empower its Civil Society partners with tools to address conflict sensitivity. 

Held in Erbil, Iraq, the training drew over 30 representatives from Community Based Organisations (CBOs) that are currently engaged with UNDP on peacebuilding projects or have partnered in the past. 

At the core of the training lay a paramount objective - to introduce the concepts of conflict sensitivity and the imperative principle of "do no harm" in the context of supporting local communities.

“This training is vital because our partners work at the grassroots level, directly engaging with the partners with the communities. Without adequate preparation, their well-meaning efforts could unintentionally cause some conflict,” Mr. Domle Khidher, a professional trainer who led the different sessions shared.  

The training focused on the key pillars of conflict sensitivity including do no harm, analysing conflict, involvement of women and youth. 

The training delved into the essential pillars of conflict sensitivity, including the principles of "do no harm," conflict analysis, and the active involvement of women and youth.

“My main take away from this training is the understanding that commonalities are permanent, while divisions are temporary and we can overcome them by finding solutions and studying the causes and roots of the problem as we carry out our work,” Asia Salam of Al Ilham Organisation in Diyala Governorate said after training.