Overview

Within its portfolio on humanitarian negotiations, Conflict Dynamics has developed the Humanitarian Negotiation Training Initiative (HNTI), which encompasses training, strategy development and 'technical support' activities pertaining to humanitarian negotiations. This Initiative was initially developed in collaboration with Mercy Corps Conflict Management Group.

Objectives and Methodology

The primary objective of the Humanitarian Negotiation Training Initiative is to enhance humanitarian practitioners’ ability to prepare for- and conduct humanitarian negotiations, when necessary, to achive better humanitarian outcomes.
In pursuit of this overarching objectives, HNTI seeks to:

1. increase humanitarian practitioners’ awareness of the negotiation process and their own negotiating behavior
2. share an operational framework and analytic tools to prepare for and conduct more effective and structured humanitarian negotiations
3. help humanitarian practitioners improve personal and team skills in negotiation and communication
4. assist practitioners in working through dilemmas in humanitarian negotiation

The HNTI methodology reflects the combined use of two policy- and skill-based methodologies: traditional Interest-based negotiation (“IBN”) theory and methodologies, and the three-phase methodology and framing approach presented in the UN manual on Humanitarian Negotiations with Armed Groups (2006).
The content and delivery of the advanced training is constantly refined based on feedback from training workshop participants and developments in humanitaran policy and practice.

Partners and Previous Locations

Conflict Dynamics has delivered seminars and advanced training workshops on humanitarian negotiations for partners in locations spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Organizations that have received training or seminars under HNTI since 2006 include: the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); World Food Programme (WFP); World Health Organization (WHO); Humanitarian Coordinators Induction Learning System.
 

Facilitation Team

Conflict Dynamics facilitation team is made up of highly experienced professionals bringing expertise in the areas of negotiation theory, humanitarian policy, international law, as well as their own field experiences of negotiations.

Gerard Mc Hugh, President of Conflict Dynamics and HNTI Team Leader, is the co-author, with Manuel Bessler (OCHA), of the UN publication, Humanitarian Negotiations with Armed Groups: A Manual for Practitioners, and the accompanying set of Field Guidelines (2006).

The publications provide a structured approach to humanitarian negotiations with these groups.

Customized Package

Conflict Dynamics offers a customized training and learning package which is developed with the partner organization for each specific context. Components of the package offered include:

• 3- or 4 day advanced training Workshop on humanitarian negotiations
• 2- or 3 hour Executive Seminar for senior managers of humanitarian organizations (e.g. United Nations Country Team)
• a range of role plays and simulations customized to reflect the specific negotiation challenges encountered by the partner

“Humanitarian negotiation with armed groups –

• to ensure provision of assistance and protection to vulnerable groups;
• to safeguard humanitarian space; and
• to improve respect for international law

- can often be a humanitarian necessity!”