24th International Summer University on Federalism, Decentralisation and Conflict Resolution

20 August - 07 September 2012 

  

The application window is now closed
  
Background
Today’s world faces numerous violent conflicts, most of the conflicts being within a country’s border. Federalism and decentralisation are powerful tools for conflict resolution. The Summer University enables students to enhance their knowledge about Power Sharing (e.g. Federalism and Decentralisation), especially its chances and limits in relation to conflict resolution. The Summer University became a brand of the Institute of Federalism during the last 23 years.  
    
Goal
The participants understand the principles of federalism and decentralisation in conflict resolution. The newly acquired knowledge is transferred and has an impact on their daily work as academic or young professional.  
  
Target Group
The Summer University is aimed at advanced students of law, political science, economics or journalism (completed BA) and young professionals keen to improve their knowledge of federalism, decentralisation and conflict resolution. A good knowledge of English and a strong interest in the topics of federalism, decentralisation and conflict resolution are preconditions for applying.
   
Methodology and Workload
Teaching will be a mix of lectures, case studies, self-reading, and group work. Prior to the Summer University, participants are asked to write a paper and comment on another participant’s paper.  
Preparation (approximately 80 hours)
  • Write a seminar paper (guidelines) (see sample)
  • Write a commentary on another’s participant paper
  • Study the reader (examination in the first day) 
Participation in the Summer University (approximately 90 hours)
  • Written examination of the reader (in the first day)
  • Participate actively in the lectures and group work
  • Final exam (in the last week) 
Programme Outline (subject to change)
  • Week 1: Interdisciplinary approach to federalism and power sharing. Participants learn through an interdisciplinary approach the different aspects and elements that make a federal state. The classes will be taught by lecturers with different background (public lawyers, political scientists, historians, economist)
  • Week 2: Federalism, decentralisation and conflict resolution: case studies. How can federalism and decentralisation contribute to conflict resolution? Where are their limits? What is needed for a state not to fall apart if it is federalised after a violent conflict? These questions will be answered in the second week, when participants will learn how conflict resolution and federalism/ decentralisation processes are connected. The focus will be on case studies from states with violent conflicts. 
  • Week 3: Dealing with diversity: case studies. Modern states have to deal with diversity. Through different case studies, the participants learn how this challenge is met and where the chances and limits of federalism and decentralisation are.
Costs
For participants coming from countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe the Institute of Federalism can offer the course free of charge, due to a programme contribution from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The covered costs include tuition, course materials and accommodation with full board.
Please note: Travel costs to and from the course location, visa costs and health insurance are at the expense of the participants. 
   
For participants from Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand the costs are:
  • 1200 CHF (approx. 990 Euro/ 1250 USD) for accommodation with half board
  • Lunch (individual, about 8-10 CHF/meal)
  • Transportation in Fribourg (46/61 CHF)
  • Travel costs to and from the course location, visa costs (if necessary) and health insurance
  • The tuition and course materials are covered by the Institute of Federalism  
For participants from University of Fribourg the Summer University is credited as a BIC.  
    
Certificate
Upon successful completion of the course (paper, active participation, compulsory attendance and exams), participants will be awarded a Diploma by the Institute of Federalism and the University of Fribourg.
ECTS conferred by the University of Fribourg 
    
Date
20 August - 07 September 2012
In order to successful complete the Summer University, the participants must attend the whole course.
   
Location
University of Fribourg, Perolles II, Fribourg, Switzerland
Accomodation: Convict Salesianum, Fribourg, Switzerland 
    
Application
Applications are accepted by email (summeruniversity@unifr.ch), by post (Ms Yvonne Heiter-Steiner, Institute of Federalism, Rte d’Englisberg 7, CH-1763 Granges-Paccot, Switzerland) or by fax (+41 26 300 97 24).
Incomplete dossiers will not be accepted.
    
The Application window is now closed.
    
Please note: Students of the University of Fribourg must register via Gestens. Please observe the deadlines of the Faculty of Law.  
     
Time schedule
  • Application deadline: 31 March 2012
  • Confirmation of participation: 20 April 2012
  • Deadline for paper submission: 17 June 2012
  • Deadline for paper commentary: 08 July 2012
  • Gestens registration for University of Fribourg students: 28 June 2012, 10h - 5 July 2012, 14h
  • Deadline for paper submission (only for UniFR students via Gestens): 5 August 2012
  • Deadline for paper commentary (only for UniFR students): 12. August 2012
     
  • Summer University: 20 August – 07 September 2012 
Partners
The Summer University is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) 
    
Questions?
Please visit our FAQ page. If your question is still not answered, do not hesitate to contact Ms. Yvonne Heiter-Steiner: summeruniversity@unifr.ch
Institute of Federalism  -   Rte d'Englisberg 7    -   1763 Granges-Paccot   -  Tel +41 26 300 8125    -   Fax +41 26 300 9724    -  
info(at)federalism.ch   -   Swiss University