Events

Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) is a process that supports combatants and individuals associated with armed forces and groups in laying down their weapons and/or transitioning to civilian life. Since its first UN mandate in the early 1990s, both the nature of DDR and the contexts in which it is applied have evolved significantly. While DDR was traditionally implemented in post-conflict settings following comprehensive peace agreements, it is now increasingly attempted in more complex and fluid environments. These evolving realities have led to a fundamental shift in DDR policy and practice. In response, the United Nations Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on DDR released a revised version of the Integrated DDR Standards (IDDRS) in 2019. These standards offer DDR practitioners essential guidance, tools, and operational frameworks to design and implement context-specific DDR processes across mission and non-mission settings, at any stage of conflict, and with or without the presence of formal peace agreements.

This DDR Basic Course, which is jointly organised by the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) with the support of Switzerland, the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), and the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies will dive deeper into the revised IDDRS to support participants in enhancing their DDR skills. This event will take place over multiple days from 10–14 November 2025. Participants who will be taking the course will afterwards be able to:

• Explain key concepts, policies, and strategic frameworks underpinning DDR.
• Identify and describe the main components, activities, and cross-cutting issues involved in DDR processes.
• Analyse the roles and interactions of various actors and institutions engaged in DDR at local, national, regional, and international levels.
• Apply practical tools and approaches to plan, implement, and monitor DDR activities in diverse contexts.
• Evaluate how DDR strategies can be adapted to complex and evolving operational environments, including ongoing conflicts and non-permissive settings.

Methodology

This training course will take place in person and is designed to apply a participatory approach. Participants will be required to actively engage during the entirety of the course, including through sharing experiences and lessons learned, reflecting on different aspects of DDR, working in groups, and presenting on selected topics. The training course will be conducted in English. No interpretation will be provided.

Target Audience

• Civilian and uniformed staff currently working or seeking deployment in DDR/CVR/WAM.
• Representatives of National DDR institutions.
• UN staff and affiliated personnel, representatives of the Regional and Sub-Regional Organisations, NGOs and CSOs working in a DDR-related field.
• Researchers in DDR.

As per Security Council resolution 1325, which sets out a clear and practical agenda for measuring the advancement of women in all aspects of peacebuilding, including DDR, it is the responsibility of all DDR stakeholders to work with female practitioners and actively include women in the formulation and implementation of DDR processes. As such, nominations of women for this training are highly recommended and encouraged.

Logistics

The training course is free of charge. No financial support will be provided. Selected participants have to organise and pay for their flight to and from Zurich Airport (ZRH). The host nation Switzerland, will ensure the transportation of participants from and to Zurich Airport (ZRH) based on availability and will cover all costs related to meals and accommodation at the venue. No transportation from and to other airports than Zurich (ZRH) and no Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) will be provided. All participants need to arrange their visa, where required, and provide proof of adequate health insurance coverage before entering the territory of Switzerland. UN Laissez-Passer holders do not need a visa to enter Switzerland for a stay of up to 90 days. A detailed Logistics Note will be shared with selected participants.

Application

Interested individuals can apply using the application form no later than 05 October 2025 to Mr. Donatien Gery (email: donatien.gery@un.org), copying Mr. Marc Schibli (email: schibli@un.org).

Please note that the number of participants is limited. The course organisers will ensure that individuals are selected based on their background and the relevance of the training to their work.

Participants will be required to complete an online self-paced DDR introductory training before the DDR training course.

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