Peacemaking and Mediation in International Conflicts Today



Overview

Strengthen your ability to support mediation and peacebuilding in today’s complex global landscape. This highly interactive, three-day course equips diplomats, peacebuilding professionals and international affairs practitioners with the tools and clarity to navigate modern peace processes. 

Led by an experienced mediator, you’ll explore how shifting geopolitical affairs are transforming the nature of conflict, and what that means for peace-making in practice. Engage with current challenges and new approaches, including hybrid warfare, climate-driven conflict, digital diplomacy and AI, to explore ways to apply them to your own practice. 

You’ll also take part in real-world case studies, stakeholder mapping, hands-on mediation exercises and a simulation of a multilateral peace process, developing key skills in inclusive dialogue and negotiation – so you can manage complex conversations and mediation with clarity. 

Whether you’re already active in mediation or moving into a new phase of your peacebuilding career, this course develops your skillset and perspective by introducing cutting-edge approaches to your practice.

Programme details

Day 1 - 20 April

Session 1 - Introduction: Peacemaking and Mediation in a changing Global Order  

  • Key concepts, principles, and definitions 
  • Major developments in today’s global order  
  • Evolution and current trends in international peacemaking 

Session 2 - The Changing Nature of Conflict  

  • Impact of geopolitical shifts on peacemaking and mediation 
  • Emerging trends: hybrid warfare, climate-driven conflicts, digital diplomacy and the role of artificial intelligence in conflict and peacemaking  

Session 3 – Peacemaking Actors and Institutional Frameworks 

  • Roles and mandates of the United Nations, Regional bodies, Governments and NGOs 
  • New kids on the block? The role and approach of emerging international mediation actors  
  • Coordination among international peacemaking actors 
  • Case study exercise: Mediating the mediators? - Analysis of recent peace interventions 

Session 4  - Conflict Analysis and Stakeholder Mapping 

  • Conflict assessment frameworks and tools 
  • Conflict prevention: From Early Warning to Early Action?  
  • Identifying stakeholders, interests, and power dynamics 
  • Interactive exercise: Mapping conflict scenarios 

Day 2 - 21 April

Session 5 – Peace Mediation Fundamental Concepts  

  • Designing a mediation process: entry, negotiation, agreement, implementation 
  • The multitrack approach in peace mediation  
  • How to ensure legitimacy and inclusion in peace processes   
  • Practical exercise: Mini-mediation scenario 
  • Session 6 – Peace Mediation Advanced Techniques and Innovative Approaches  
  • The role of religious leaders and local mediators 
  • Dealing with extremist groups, armed actors and spoilers in peace processes  
  • Leveraging new technologies in mediation   
  • Case-study analysis 

Session 7 – Mediation in practice - What does it take to be a good mediator?  

  • Overview and practice of effective negotiation and mediation microskills  
  • Several role plays and exercises  

Session 8 – Peacemaking beyond the Negotiation Table - The interplay between diplomacy, peace mediation, support measures and sanctions  

  • The right sequencing and interplay between diplomacy, peacemaking and mediation support measures  
  • Sanctions as a coercive diplomatic tool: goals, design principles, unintended consequences 
  • How can mediators leverage—or be constrained by—sanctions regimes during peace talks 

Day 3 - 22 April

Session 9 - Simulation: Multilateral Mediation Process (Part I) 

  • Realistic peacemaking and conflict resolution simulation with assigned roles 
  • Participants engage actively in mediating a complex international conflict 

Session 10 - Simulation: Multilateral Mediation Process (Part II) 

  • Continuation and conclusion of mediation scenario 
  • Integrating advanced techniques and innovative approaches 

Session 11 -Simulation Debrief 

  • Reflect on individual and team experiences during simulation  
  • Identify which strategies worked well – and what did not – in navigating mediation dynamics, stakeholder interests and procedural challenges 
  • Connect simulation experience to real-world peace processes, drawing out transferable insights and diverse approaches to problem-solving in peace processes 

Session 12 -  Course Conclusions, Reflections and Action Planning  

  • Comprehensive discussion and reflections on key lessons learned 
  • Action planning: Applying skills in professional contexts 
  • Practical advice on career development in mediation and peacebuilding 

Attending Your Course 

Further details will be emailed to you two weeks ahead of your course, which will include registration information. 

Please get in touch if you have not received this information within five working days of the course start date.  

In the meantime, you may wish to plan your travel: Travel information

Certification

In order to be eligible for a certificate of attendance, you will need to attend the whole course. Participants who meet this criterion will be emailed after the end of the course with a link, and instructions on how to access their University of Oxford digital certificate. 

The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate, as well as share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
1. Standard course fee £1595.00
2. Discount fee package: 20-24 April 2025 £2445.00

Payment

This course can be taken separately or as part of a discount fee package including Public Diplomacy in the Age of Real-Time Statecraft (23-24 April 2026), a saving of £270.

Fees include course materials, tuition, refreshments and lunches. The price does not include accommodation.

All courses are VAT exempt.

Register immediately online 

Click the “book now” button on this webpage. Payment by credit or debit card is required.

Request an invoice

If you require an invoice for your company or personal records, please contact us. The Course Administrator will then email you an invoice. Payment is accepted online by credit/debit card, or by bank transfer. Please do not send card or bank details by email.​

Tutor

Martin Albani - Tutor

Martin Albani is a senior European diplomat with extensive experience as a negotiation and mediation trainer. He brings nearly 20 years of expertise in political negotiations at both national and international levels, having served most recently as Head of the Peace Mediation and Dialogue Sector in the European Union’s Diplomatic Service (EEAS).  

An internationally recognised negotiation trainer and coach, Martin regularly advises senior executives and professionals. His clients include European Union Ambassadors and Special Representatives, as well as institutions such as the United Nations, political foundations, businesses and NGOs. 

Martin's particular expertise lies in complex negotiations involving challenging counterparts and value-based conflicts. He lectures on negotiation and peacebuilding at University St. Gallen and SciencesPo Paris and holds an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics. 

Application

If you would like to discuss your application or any part of the application process before applying, please click 'Ask a Question' at the top of this page. 

Level and demands

This course is aimed at:

  • Diplomats and civil servants engaged in peacebuilding and peacemaking  

  • International Affairs professionals from NGOs, businesses and private peacemaking and mediation organisations   

  • Professionals and students that are pursuing a career that involves peacebuilding and peacemaking  

  • Academics working on peacebuilding and peace mediation  

Accommodation

Although not included in the course fee, accommodation may be available at our on-site Rewley House Residential Centre. All bedrooms are en suite and decorated to a high standard, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

To check prices, availability and to book rooms please visit the Rewley House Residential Centre website. 

Enrolled students are entitled to discounted accommodation rates for the purpose of study, at Rewley House, and can contact the administration team for the promotional code to use for making online accommodation bookings via the website.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support