Conservation does not happen in isolation. From resource exploitation to the impacts of climate change, conservation efforts often unfold in complex socio-political environments where tensions can emerge or even escalate into violent conflict. To support practitioners in addressing these challenges, PeaceNexus has collaborated with leading experts working at the intersection of conservation and peace, and the IUCN Academy, to create a new online course, ‘Conflict Sensitivity in Conservation: Principles and Practice’. Launched at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, we have made the course available for free on the IUCN Academy platform.
The course is self-paced and provides practical tools to help nature conservation professionals, authorities and those interested in conservation, conflict and peace to integrate conflict-sensitive approaches into their work. Participants will explore how conservation can anticipate tensions, prevent them from escalating and – where they are able – actively support social cohesion, peacebuilding and sustainable outcomes for both people and nature.
Course highlights
- You can start anytime and learn at your own pace in around 8 hours.
- There are 4 core modules with practical exercises, case studies and a final assessment.
- Topics include conflict analysis and conflict sensitivity assessment, conflict-sensitive stakeholder engagement, and how conflict-sensitive conservation could contribute to inclusive conservation, human rights, gender and peacebuilding aims.
- You’ll receive a certificate of completion upon successful assessment.
- The course is made available for free.
The course is designed for:
- Staff of international, national and sub-national civil society organisations who work on the conservation of nature and biodiversity.
- Conservation and wildlife management authorities at national or local levels.
- Individuals passionate about tackling pressing environmental challenges while promoting peace and resilience.
Whether you are starting your conservation journey or are a seasoned practitioner, this course will help you integrate conflict sensitivity into projects and organisationally.
How could it be used?
Apart from individual learning and professional development, the course will also be used internally by organisations already integrating conflict sensitivity into their conservation work. In addition, the course could provide a platform for peer learning and sharing, allowing conservation practitioners from a particular region or working on a certain theme to exchange on how they might practically apply the knowledge they have gained.
A collaborative effort
The course was written by Hesta Groenewald (PeaceNexus Foundation) and Dr. Julia Gorricho (Independent Adviser). AJ Morgen (Independent Consultant) contributed support on case study examples and Heloise Heyer (PeaceNexus Foundation) provided inputs and oversight. It was developed under the guidance of a dedicated Steering Committee comprising colleagues from the African Wildlife Foundation, Conservation International, the Environmental Law Institute, the Environmental Peacebuilding Association, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy, and the World Wildlife Fund, with support from a broader Reference Group of leading organisations across the conservation and peacebuilding fields.
The course has been made possible by a collaboration between the PeaceNexus Foundation, the Somaha Foundation and the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation.
Access the course here or scan the QR code: https://iucnacademy.org/courses/conflict-sensitivity-conservation-principles-practice/
Find out more about the course through our iPoster: IUCN iPosterSessions