International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
Intensive Course on Truth Commissions
Barcelona, 28 September - 3 October 2014
Deadline for application: 31 July 2014

The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and the Barcelona International Peace Resource Center (BIPRC) are pleased to announce the 6th Intensive Course on Truth Commissions, focused on a practical approach about the challenges in the design and implementation of a truth commission and, this year, exploring its intersections with peace processes.

Truth commissions - official, non-judicial inquiries into human rights violations - have become a centerpiece of processes of transition to democracy and peacebuilding, after violent conflict and dictatorship. International peacemakers, donors, human rights advocates, government officials are now routinely involved in truth commissions being created around the world, often as part of peace talks in the agenda of negotiations and final agreements.

The course will give practitioners directly involved in human rights, mediation, peacebuilding, rule of law, and transitional justice with the basic tools to assess the propriety of creating a truth commission in the aftermath of serious human rights violations and ensuring that the design and implementation of truth commissions are sensitive to contextual realities. The course will provide participants with the knowledge required to conceive, implement, and engage with truth commissions, in accordance with best practices and comparative experience.

The 2014 edition of the course will focus especially on truth commission established during peace processes.

The topics of discussions include:
• What is the place of truth-seeking in transitional justice?
• What is a truth commission, and what can be expected from it?
• What roles can truth-seeking play after serious human rights violations?
• How to design the mandate and structure a truth commission?
• How to ensure a commission works independently, competently, and in an inclusive manner?
• How did commissions created by peace agreements worked in the past?
• What are the main assumptions behind their establishment?
• What challenges can they expect, and what responses are necessary?

Dates and locations
This course will be held from 28 September until 3 October 2014 at Casa Sant Felip Neri in Barcelona, Spain. The location is a beautiful 19th century house that hosted a convent for many years. It is conveniently located minutes away from Barcelona’s best known neighborhoods.

Profile of candidates
The program is targeted at mid-career and senior staff at multilateral agencies, governments, NGOs, foundations, and universities. Practitioners directly involved in countries considering the establishment of truth-seeking mechanisms or similar efforts are especially encouraged to apply.

Language and registration fee
The course will be taught in English and a high proficiency level is required to fully benefit from attendance.

The course fee is €1300 Euros/US$1,700 payable within 15 business days following acceptance to the course. This fee includes accommodation at Catalonia Castellnou Hotel (3 stars) in individual living quarters; all meals, including daily refreshments; and all course materials. It does not include the cost of travelling to Barcelona. Payment arrangement information will be included in acceptance letters. Unfortunately, ICTJ and BIPRC cannot provide any scholarships or waivers for the course fees this year.

Instructors
The academic coordinator of this course is Eduardo González, Director of the Truth and Memory Program at ICTJ and former staff member at the Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Other instructors include former members of truth commissions, transitional justice experts, and mediators.

Materials
Participants will be sent selected reading materials in advance, and receive a comprehensive resource packet for future reference upon completion of the course.

Travel
ICTJ and BIPRC do not cover participants' travel, visa, or insurance costs. We can provide logistical assistance and letters in support of participants' visa applications upon request.

Application process
Applications will be accepted until 31 July 2014.

Successful applicants will be notified in early August. To apply for the course, please submit a one-page letter of motivation, Curriculum Vitae, a copy of your passport, one letter of reference, and a completed application form to tmcourses@ictj.org.

Download the application here as a Word Document or PDF.

All details about the course can be found here.