Constitution Building Training Programme

The Constitution Building Training Programme is a capacity building tool under development by International IDEA. It is a curriculum designed for actors in post-conflict constitutional processes, including decision makers on the constitutional process and the content of the constitution, implementers, technicians, advocates and international actors who seek to support constitutional processes. It is an interactive, problem-solving training course based on sharing experience and active participation. A comparative three step approach allows learners to engage in dialogue and take advantage of lessons learned in other constitution building processes.

The first phase of the training programme includes the following eight modules:

Introduction to Constitution Building

• Provides an introduction to the specific roles and functions of post-conflict constitutions.
• Demonstrates how constitutional choices can impact the likelihood of avoiding or returning to conflict.

Post-Conflict Constitution Building: Selected Process Issues [Part 1]

• Introduces constitution building as a process that can facilitate multicultural dialogue about common visions for a state and its people.
• Introduces interim and transitional arrangements and mechanisms used in constitution building.

Post-Conflict Constitution Building: Selected Process Issues [Part 2]

• Introduces constitution building as a process of collective action between former adversaries and conflicting social groups.
• Introduces strategies for negotiating, bargaining, breaking deadlocks, sharing power, redressing victimization and promoting shared visions.

Building a Culture of Rights and Responsibilities

• Introduces the significance of including specific rights in a constitution.
• Discusses ways that human rights can transform and manage conflict.

Addressing and Preventing Conflict through Recognizing Diversity and Building Human Security [Part 1]: Religion and Ethnicity

• Introduces issues relating to diversity and identity politics.
• Introduces how religion and ethnicity often contribute to divisiveness and large numbers of conflicts.
• Introduces strategies to accommodate religious and ethnic diversity.

Addressing and Preventing Conflict through Recognizing Diversity and Building Human Security [Part 2]: Women’s Participation and HIV Issues

• Introduces gender inclusion in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security.
• Introduces strategies for dealing with gender inequality and forms of stigmatization.

Power Dynamics in Constitution Building

• Introduces strategies allowing power sharing and popular participation in constitutional processes and governance structures, thereby reducing the chances of a return to violent conflict.

Resource Governance: Wealth Sharing and Natural Resources

• Introduces linkages between access to public resources and conflict.
• Introduces strategies such as distribution, redistribution, restitution and compensation as constitutional guarantees to ensure equal access to wealth.

• Constitution Building Training Programme
  • Module overview
  • 1. Introduction to constitution building
  • 2. Post-conflict constitution building: Selected process issues [Part 1]
  • 3. Post-conflict constitution building: Selected process issues [Part 2]
  • 4. Building a Culture of Rights and Responsibilities
  • 5. Addressing and Preventing Conflict through Recognizing Diversity and Building Human Security [Part 1]: Religion and Ethnicity
  • 6. Addressing and Preventing Conflict through Recognizing Diversity and Building Human Security [Part 2]: Women’s Participation and HIV Issues
    • Outline
  • 7. Power Dynamics in Constitution Building
  • 8. Resource Governance: Wealth Sharing and Natural Resources