Why?

Conflict is Increasing : As multiple risks converge, companies & investors are navigating geopolitical conflict, war, and a decline in social cohesion. Executives need new toolkits to help them conduct conflict sensitivity analysis as part of HHRDD, to prepare for and respond to conflict responsibly, and build resilient companies and communities along the value chain.

  • What? : This course gives Senior Executives practical tools and actionable knowledge to analyse and understand conflict, how to prepare for and mitigate it, and how to practically conduct HHRDD, including how to assess a context for entry or responsible exit.

  • Who? : This course is for Executives with mining or energy companies or investment houses who have exposure to sensitive, high risk or fragile and conflict affected contexts.

  • How? : Learning is conducted online, within an exclusive, small peer cohort. Not all applicants are accepted into the course.

  • Accreditation? : Course participants are assessed throughout the course and are required to pass an end of course assessment to ensure learning outcomes. Course graduates receive the 'Conflict Smart - Proponent' accreditation and certificate. Further accreditation is available for select graduates.

Course Curriculum

What will you learn?

  1. Week 1 - What is Conflict & why does it matter to my company?

  2. Week 2 - How do I practically assess conflict and meet HHRDD requirements?

  3. Week 3 - How do I manage conflict impacts on my value chains?

  4. Week 4 - Complexity – why are environmental and gender considerations important in conflict?

  5. Assessment & Accreditation

About this Course

  • $4,550.00
  • Live, interactive, virtual | Tailored for Executives
  • 4 weeks | 2 live hrs & 1.5 prep hrs/wk | tech enabled toolkit
  • Small cohort of peers per class | Expert faculty

Our Approach

Using select theory, tech tools & live scenario analysis - aligned with business continuity and crisis response approaches - we break down conflict analysis and responsible action into a practical methodology you can use to make your company and communities more resilient now

  • Tools & Templates

    The course provides you with tangible, best practice Conflict Smart tools and guidance to undertake conflict sensitivity analysis to guide responsible action now. We've built the tools to help you integrate HHRDD and conflict sensitivity into your business practices from the first lesson.

  • Live Expert Interaction

    Tailored to busy Executives, this class comprises 4, 2 hour live peer learning sessions supported by select background reading. Modules are released on a weekly basis with reading materials and videos made accessible via our Online Campus. We also give you live access to internationally recognised practitioners, scholars and experts who have lived in fragile and conflict affected states, to help you put a human face to conflict and conflict mitigation.

  • Action Based Learning

    ● Interactive and dynamic sessions distilling theory and Conflict Smart proprietary tools to support immediate action ● Group scenario-based live exercises ● Select, asynchronous material ● Personal feedback by expert trainers ● Lifelong access to learning material and to Conflict Smart tools and guidance ● Peer exchange and ongoing post-course peer group

Cohort Dates

Program class sizes are limited to small group of executives peers to maximise interactive learning. Secure your place now.

  • Seats are limited. Apply now.

    2 live hrs/week (8-10am CET) over 4 weeks

  • 5 February - 26 February 2025

    Applications closed

For company, group & bespoke options, email [email protected]

  • 3 - 24 June 2025

    Now open

Faculty

Learn from leading experts with lived experience in fragile & conflict affected contexts & from guest speakers, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.

Dr Elizabeth Armstrong

Lead Instructor

A business and conflict expert, Dr Amstrong has lived and worked in conflict and fragile environments for much of her 25 year long career, gaining a reputation for establishing innovative practical solutions to complex problems. She holds a PhD in the role of Business in Conflict Mitigation and the Deescalation of Violence from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, alongside a Master of Resource Economics. A practitioner at heart, she has delivered multi-million dollar peace and development projects in highly contested contexts, and worked at high levels across the corporate, government and for purpose sectors. She is a company Director and a member of both the UN Peace and Development Expert Roster and the UNDP Rapid Deployment roster.

Baptiste Millet

Senior Instructor

Baptiste has over 15 years across human rights, peace, security and development in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. A conflict sensitivity specialist, he has designed multi-year impact programs and partnerships aligned with the Sustainable Development goals. Among other roles, he has advised on relations with the African Union and Regional Economic Communities, designed livelihood centered peace committees, conducted cross-sector stakeholder engagement with investors, security actors, and extractives representatives, and led country-wide consultations on resource use, economic recovery and value-chain assessments. An adept trainer and practitioner, he holds a Master of International Law of Peace and Armed conflict from Ruhr-Bochum University in Germany, and a Master of Management and Development with a specialization on Africa.

Visiting Experts

A range of experts who have navigated conflict in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America will join each week. You will have access to a range of leading geopolitical risk and conflict expert practitioners who will join the course during interactive sessions. Experts include faculty from leading Universities including the Harvard Business School, the University of Bristol, the University of Notre Dame and University of Uppsala, and advisors to prominent global mining, energy, FMCG, telecommunications and other key sectors navigating geopolitical risk and the just transition.

Enhance capability | Manage risk

Learn how to make responsible decisions in fragile & conflict affected contexts & meet rising due diligence standards now

Secure Your Place Now

“This course teaches the how of conflict analysis within HHRDD and gave me the knowledge I needed to more confidently take action. The tools are pragmatic and help put theory into practice, but I learnt so much more and have a new respect for the power business has in fragile or sensitive environments.”

Conflict Smart - Proponent Graduate