www.ccw.ox.ac.

uk

20 to 24 June 2016

The Changing Character

of Armed Conflict:
Understand, Plan, Act

Executive Leadership Course of the Oxford

Changing Character of War Programme
This intensive one-week executive leadership course will equip participants
with a critical understanding of the changing character of armed conflict
as well as the conceptual and practical tools necessary to anticipate and
tackle future conflict. The course takes an interdisciplinary, participatory
approach and combines academic rigour with innovative practical thinking.
It is critical for current and future leaders involved in policy-formulation,
practice or research related to security, defence and peacebuilding.
The combination and convergence of new technologies, including
cyberware, in the context of the information age, and the corresponding
prevalence of low-tech challenges by violent non-state actors has created
significant challenges to addressing future security threats. The changing
geo-strategic balance, or perceptions of change, against a background
of fundamental shifts in the global economy, has added to the sense of
uncertainty. Nevertheless, there are well-established hot spots of conflict
which allow analysts the opportunity to make more concrete assessments,
while international institutions continue to provide mechanisms for
diplomacy and co-operation.
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The Changing Character of Armed Conflict: Understand, Plan, Act


The Changing
Character of War
Programme

Structure and Methodology

This course will involve critically reflecting on recent examples, assessing
risks, planning and testing policy ideas and forecasting strategic trends.
Modelled on successful programmes we have run in the past, it will be
structured into intensive participatory breakout sessions, evaluation of case
studies and practical exercises. A number of distinguished keynote speakers
will complement the interactive course sessions. Course facilitators will
include distinguished academics and experienced practitioners.

Participants
Global in outlook, the course is principally designed for government
officials, staff of international organisations and NGOs, military
professionals and the private sector with several years of work experience
in issues related to security, defence or peacebuilding. It is also for scholars
researching armed conflict.

Conflict in
the midst
of civilians,
Colombia

Please note:
Changes to
the draft
programme and
speakers may
be made at any
time prior to
the start of the
course.

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Executive Leadership Course of the Oxford Changing Character of War Programme

 Oleg Zabielin

Facilitators and Keynote Speakers

The course is led by Dr Rob Johnson and Dr Annette Idler with input from
keynote speakers, including Sir Lawrence Freedman KCMG, CBE, PC, FBA
and Sir Hew Strachan FRSE FRHistS, and other small group facilitators.
Dr Rob Johnson is Director of the Changing
Character of War Programme. His primary research
interests are in strategy, its development, and
the history of war which informs it. Dr Johnson
is also concerned with the issue of civil-military
relations in the making of strategy, and has examined
the problems of maintaining internal security, the
dynamics of insurrection, and the role of auxiliary
forces in a number of other publications. Dr Johnson convenes the UK
Strategy Forum, and advises and delivers direct support to a number of
governments and armed forces in defence and security matters. He runs
an annual strategic leadership course for international participants at the
Royal College of Defence Studies.
Dr Annette Idler is Director of Studies at the Changing
Character of War Programme. Her research interests
lie at the interface of conflict, security, transnational
organised crime and peacebuilding, and the role that
a variety of violent non-state actors, including rebels,
paramilitaries, terrorists and criminals play in these
dynamics. She has carried out extensive fieldwork in
war-torn border regions, and has directed and delivered
courses internationally to practitioners and academics
on issues related to armed conflict. Dr Idler draws on her professional
experience with UNDPs Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, the
UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and GIZ,
to actively engage the policy community.

Themes

COURSE DATES

20 to 24 June 2016
LOCATION
The course will take place over five days
in purpose-built conference facilities in St
Catherines College in the heart of Oxford.
Fees include full board accommodation,
with delegates housed in en-suite
accommodation on the College site. A
banquet dinner and drinks reception will
take place on the Wednesday evening.

Sessions will be held on each of the following themes:

The Changing Character of Conflict: A Historic Overview

New Security Threats and Revolutions in Military Affairs

Behavioural Patterns among Violent Non-state Groups

The Relationship between Policy and Strategy

Wars of the Future: New Conflicts, New Policy?

A Typical Day
A typical day will begin at 9.00am with a plenary address by a
keynote speaker. There will be opportunity for Q&A with the speaker
as well as a chance to discuss the theme of the day in depth in smaller
groups. After lunch, breakout sessions will include timed exercises
and case studies as well as detailed analysis of materials provided in
the course reading pack. Dinner is provided each evening in the College
Hall, allowing participants the opportunity to network informally. A
variety of activities are arranged in the evening, but participants will also
have access to the Oxford libraries should they wish to study.
All course participants will receive Bodleian cards, allowing them to access
the historic facilities of Oxfords famous libraries during their stay.
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About Us

Application form, motivation letter and CV

to be submitted by 15 May 2016

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Minimum of 5 years work experience in a

relevant field or postdoctoral level

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The Changing Character of Armed Conflict: Understand, Plan, Act

Folly
Bridge

The Changing Character of War Programme (CCW) is

devoted to the interdisciplinary study of war and armed
conflict. It is a successful, policy-relevant research
programme based in Pembroke College, University of
Oxford, and enjoying global influence and international
partnerships. Directed by Dr Robert Johnson and Dr
Annette Idler, with a Programme Committee chaired
by Professor Dominic Johnson and a large number of
Research Associates from a variety of disciples within the
University, CCW is unique in its delivery of high-quality,
high-impact research, combined with practice, policy and
advisory engagement.
More than 16 titles have been published in the CCW
series at Oxford University Press. CCW conferences,
workshops, and seminars bring to Oxford representatives
of the armed services, governments and international
organisations, as well as leading academics from across the
world, including from our partner institutions in the US,
Canada, Norway, and Australia. The Programmes vibrant
Visiting Fellowship Scheme adds breadth and diversity
to its research through its combination of practitioner
experience and international perspectives.
Further information: www.ccw.ox.ac.uk
Follow us on Twitter @OxfordCCW

ENROLMENT
To register for the Executive Leadership Course,
please submit your application documents
(application form available from www.ccw.ox.ac.uk)
by 15 May 2016 to ruth.murray@pmb.ox.ac.uk.

Executive Leadership Course of the Oxford Changing Character of War Programme