Negotiating for Climate Action: Practitioner Workshops

The vast majority of action aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change takes place on the ground in local communities by passionate and motivated individuals. These frontline negotiators are responsible for engaging with stakeholders, marshalling resources, and implementing projects that have a direct impact on people’s health, livelihoods, and environment. In these two highly interactive workshops climate action practitioners are invited to reflect upon their experience negotiating climate action projects. The workshops provide an introduction to negotiation theory as well as tools to deploy when faced with negotiation obstacles. The workshops provide participants with an opportunity to network with fellow practitioners and to discuss their own challenges and good practices. 

Sessions

Workshop 1: Negotiation Challenges and Opportunities on the Frontline. 14:00-17:00 (CET), Thursday 1st February 2024

In this interactive workshop we explore the role of negotiation in developing projects in the field of climate action.

Workshop 2: Analysing Parties Positions and Interests. 14:00-17:00 (CET), Thursday 8th February 2024

In this interactive workshop we explore how to understand the positions and interests of your negotiation counterparts when developing climate action projects.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the workshops, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between different approaches to negotiation in the field of climate action.

• Draw upon good practices to deploy during the different stages of the negotiation process.

• Analyse the underlying interests of parties to a negotiation and design effective strategies for overcoming negotiation obstacles.

• Identify the network of influence that effects their counterpart’s position and interests.

• Critically reflect upon and evaluate their own negotiation experiences.

Eligibility

To apply for the course, you should meet the following criteria:

• You should have worked in the field of developing climate mitigation projects for at least 3 years;

• Priority will be given to applicants with experience working on climate action projects in the Middle East, Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and African continent.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and close on Friday 26th January at 12:00 (CET).

Contact

If you are unsure whether your profile meets the criteria or require any further information about the workshops, please don’t hesitate to contact Zeina Moneer, Senior Programme Manager at climate.action@global-negotiation.org for more details.

Partners

These workshops as part of our Negotiating for Climate Action Project would not be possible without the support of our partners Frontline Associates and ClimaNow.

Instructors

The course is taught by the following instructors:

Jack R. Williams

Institute for Global Negotiation

Jack R. Williams is Adjunct Professor and Consultant for UNITAR. He is also President of the Institute for Global Negotiation.

Nele Erdmann

Institute for Global Negotiation

Nele Erdmann has 13 years of expertise in international climate protection projects. She specializes in renewable energy and energy efficiency, encompassing all phases from design to operation, and works as a senior project developer at atmosfair gGmbH and as an independent consultant.

Claude Bruderlein

Frontline Associates

Claude Bruderlein has been teaching frontline humanitarian negotiation for over 20 years at Harvard University. Lately, he advised the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and conducted extended field research on ICRC negotiation practices. Over the last three decades, he led and contributed to frontline negotiations in over 15 countries with the ICRC, WFP, UNICEF and UNOCHA.

Dariha Erketaeva

Frontline Associates

Dariha Erketaeva is a humanitarian professional and a negotiation specialist. Dariha led humanitarian operations for MSF and DanChurchAid in conflict and fragile contexts in Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia. Her negotiation role was pivotal in securing access, delivery of aid and safety of teams and patients in conflict-affected settings.