CAS Dealing with the Past
Certificate of Advanced Studies

The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Dealing with the Past explores how societies emerging from violence and conflict deal with the past and prepare for the future. The program runs from fall to fall. The three modules take place at the cultural center kHaus in Basel or in a virtual format.

Finding a way to deal with a violent past is often argued to be the basis for lasting peace, democracy, and the rule of law. This may involve dealing with crimes that occur during armed conflict, authoritarian regime or occupation, and addressing the legacy of colonial rule. In the CAS Dealing with the Past, you will critically discuss such processes, study and compare concrete case studies and reflect about transformative approaches to dealing with the past.

Your benefits:

  • Get familiar with the most important notions, concepts, and mechanisms relevant to transitional justice and dealing with the past (truth commissions, archives, criminal and restorative justice mechanisms, reparation programs, memorialization, and guarantees of non-recurrence, etc.);
  • explore and compare how dealing with the past processes have been designed and implemented in different contexts;
  • learn about the role of documenting and archiving practices;
  • reflect about the relevance and potential of dealing with the past for conflict prevention, as well as the complementarities and potential tensions of human rights and conflict transformation approaches;
  • explore how dealing with the past relates to contexts with a colonial legacy, the fight against corruption and asset recovery;
  • exchange experiences and become part of a community of practice.

The CAS Dealing with the Past is offered annually and runs from fall to fall.
It is composed of an Introductory Module to Peacebuilding and Conflict Analysis, a Thematic Module I focussed on Dealing with the Past (two courses), a Thematic Module II to explore different fields of Peacebuilding (one to two elective courses) and a Concluding Module (Learning Portfolio and Concluding Day).
Our course offer spans a broad range of topics relevant for peacebuilding, including Mediation, Gender, Digital Peacebuilding, and Conflict Sensitivity.

Successful participants are awarded a Certificate of Advanced Studies. This program can be taken as one module (10 ECTS) of the Diploma Diploma of Advanced Studies Peace & Conflict and Master of Advanced Studies Peace & Conflict offered by swisspeace and the University of Basel.

Course Language
English

This program is designed for

  • Professionals interested or engaged in Dealing with the Past processes and conflict transformation;
  • practitioners and aspiring practitioners in the fields of peacebuilding, humanitarian work, international relations, human rights, or documenting and archiving;
  • researchers and policy officers who work in the research-practitioner nexus.

A minimum of two years of professional experience in relevant fields and a university degree (minimum BA) or an equivalent educational background are required.

  • Prof. Dr. Laurent Goetschel, Vorsitz Studiengangkommission
  • Nathalie Orefice, Studiengangleitung

Depending on the courses you choose for your CAS Dealing with the Past, different international scholars and experienced practitioners will facilitate the program. Please have a look at the courses you want to attend to find a comprehensive list of all experts.

Continuing Education Team
swisspeace
Kasernenhof 8
CH-4058 Basel

Tel. +41 61 551 56 34
academy@swisspeace.ch
swisspeace.ch/courses

CHF 6'400. Travel, food and accommodation costs are not included in the fee.

Unfortunately, swisspeace does not provide any scholarships for this program. Participants (or their employer) must be able to cover the tuition fee.


This course is offered annually and runs from fall to fall.
Application Deadline:
Application deadline 30 August yearly

Further information about the study program can be found on:

CAS Dealing with the Past

Philosophisch-Historische Fakultät der Universität Basel

Apply now on the swisspeace Website

Application deadline 30 August yearly

Location

swisspeace, Kasernenhof 8, 4058 Basel

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