Sat., January 27, 2018, 9am-5pm
Description: This course introduces the notion that formal governments exert authority only within broader governance systems in which individuals and groups representing diverse interests also exert authority. The course explores how the dynamic roles, rules, and relationships among these actors shape complex governance systems that we can understand through the application of locally tailored field research approaches. Students will learn how to recognize individuals and groups who hold informal authority in their communities, and how to use a deep understanding of governance system dynamics to identify ways to most effectively pursue development objectives. Students will be able to plan a rapid field research exercise that leverages key informant interview and focus group approaches to learn about local governance systems.
Trainer: Kevin Melton, Director, CVE & Resilience, International Peace & Security Institute [bio]
Fee: $169 Professionals / $149 student rate
Location: 5301 Wisconsin Ave NW #B1, Washington, DC 20015
Kevin Melton is a Senior Advisor for USAID and with the International Peace and Security Institute (IPSI). Kevin is an international development specialist, foreign policy analyst, and entrepreneur with more than 14 years of experience in post-conflict and international human security matters throughout Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. His experience stems from managing and coordinating a variety of donor-funded foreign aid projects focused on conflict sensitive development including preventing/countering violence and extremism, post-conflict economic development, local governance capacity building, and governance and social cohesion. Over the last few years, he has also helped train and lead civilian and military teams and provided policy guidance and strategic and operational analysis to enhance civil-military planning efforts with bilateral and multilateral organizations, donors and embassies. Kevin has worked for USAID as part of a District Stabilization Team in Kandahar, Afghanistan; worked in Kabul as a Stability Advisor to NATO headquarters and to ISAF Commanders General Petraeus and General Allen; and, and directed a $150M USAID stabilization program in Eastern Afghanistan to promote community building, better governance, and public service delivery. He has a B.A. James Madison University and a M.A. from Queensland University, Australia. He is a Rotary World Peace Fellow Alumnus and a Truman National Security Project Fellow.