We are very excited to be launching the next evolution of training that builds on our foundational best practices. In addition to the three core courses that make up the IAP2 Global Certificate in Public Participation we have added three electives courses to the Global Learning Pathway. Visit our training calendar to register for updated course offerings.

As a key leader in the public participation sector IAP2 USA provides skills-based learning to people and organizations on what they need to know and do, so that they can successfully develop, deliver, and lead authentic engagement processes.

The prerequisite for these courses is Fundamentals of Public Participation or the Foundations of P2 courses. 

IAP2 Understanding Conflict in Public Participation

The aim of Understanding Conflict in P2/engagement is to help you understand, and more effectively manage, conflict dynamics. The focus of this Level 1 course will be on developing the skills of participants to identify and mitigate situations of tension and conflict within their P2/engagement work.

Course Objectives:

• Understand the sources, types and factors that contribute to conflict in P2/engagement and the impact they may have on the process

• Understand the role of power and influence in engagement practice

• Understand and identify the cycle of escalation, and the behaviors, attitudes and actions that are evident as conflict increases

• Contribute to and/or apply strategies to de-escalate challenging situations

• Identify how to build effective relationships and partnerships through empathy, active listening, respect and trust

• Learn approaches to work in challenging situations applying behaviors that build trust and credibility

• Consider the role of integrity and ethics in the conduct of the P2/engagement practitioner, and how that is upheld in the process

IAP2's Understanding People and Communities 

Discover and apply deep understanding and insights into the people and communities involved in P2/engagement processes, to make the processes more meaningful and effective. This Level 1 course provides an introduction to working with diversity, equity and inclusion in P2/engagement

Course Objectives:

• Identify and apply an approach for understanding people and communities for P2/engagement processes
• Reflect on factors of cultural competence and cultural humility, and assess your practice and approach against the factors to identify areas of strength and growth
• Apply a variety of analysis and mapping tools to understand diversity and map values
• Identify ways to increase access and center equity by reducing barriers to participation
• Reflect on how to build rapport, trust and relationships with people and communities, and apply and assess approaches in a P2/engagement scenario
• Assess and apply knowledge to planning and implementation of meaningful and effective P2/engagement across the Practice Framework

IAP2's Working with Conflict and High Emotion

The focus of this Level 3 course is on de-escalating and shifting conflict and high emotion to constructive participation, where forward momentum and resolution are possible.

Participants will gain a deep understanding of the state of conflict, and work with practical, tangible approaches to deescalate and transform challenges. Over the course, we will cover tools, strategies and ways of working to resolve polarized and emotional challenges.

Course Objectives:

• Assess the state of conflict and emotion in the
• P2/engagement process, and create productive and constructive approaches
• Work with the stages of conflict escalation and apply he concepts of de-escalation
• Apply a variety of strategies to transform the conflict in P2/engagement
• Identify the impact of high emotion and apply a range of approaches to deescalate challenges
• Identify how to reduce conflict in situations of misinformation and dueling facts
• Apply the principles of storytelling to connect people to each other, increase understanding and reduce conflict
• Learn from mistakes and understand the role of failure in P2/engagement processes
• Identify and apply how to mo0del integrity and behaviors hat deescalate conflict
• Apply the strategies and tools to your own project or situation

Who Should Take This Course: Level 2 and 3 practitioners who are:

• leading and managing P2/engagement processes with challenges, scope and scale looking for tools and strategies to apply to a polarized, charged P2/engagement environment
• Practitioners with experience in P2/engagement processes where there is conflict and/or high emotion

By the end of Working with Conflict and High Emotion, you will be ready to travel on a journey that improves mutual understanding, changes relationships and systems to meet human needs, contributes to building peace and creates lasting change.