ATHA is a program whose goal is methodological development of humanitarian actions in complex environments. The objective of ATHA is to provide fundamental knowledge of humanitarian activities in both theory and practice, in an international context.

The Advanced Training Program on Humanitarian Action is about enhancing the knowledge of actors in the humanitarian field and creating greater awareness of the relationship between development cooperation and humanitarian operations in complex environments, often characterized by conflict.

ATHA is hosted by Sida in cooperation with the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University (HPCR)

*Target group
The main target group is Swedish NGOs and their partners in the South. Targeted organizations include organizations working with humanitarian aid, as well as organizations oriented towards long term development work. Staff from other European NGOs, Governmental Institutions, Academia, IGOs, and military may also apply for the course.

*Interested participants should be
•Mid-career and senior management professionals seeking to benefit from a broader understanding of humanitarian issues and principles;
•Professionals with prior exposure to the application or theory of humanitarian issues and/or development work;
•Professionals holding key positions, being identified by their organization to engage in (or soon to be engaging in) implementing tools and methods to be gained from ATHA.

*Purpose
The purpose of this course is to provide professional training to enhance planning and operational capabilities in humanitarian emergencies.

*Objective
The objective is to address the challenges to which actors are increasingly exposed in complex emergencies, generating the need for the development of strategic tools to enhance the capability of these organizations in high-risk environments, in terms of planning, communication, negotiation of access or security of staff.

*Content and method
The training program is a joint initiative between the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University.

A three-day core training course on humanitarian action is offered twice a year for fifteen - twentyfive participants. Legal, operational and policy aspects of humanitarian action will be examined. The humanitarian principles and the legal framework of international humanitarian law, considered in relation to humanitarian and operational tools, will serve as a conceptual underpinning for the training. Trainings will be interactive, and will include instruction modules, case studies based on situations familiar to participants, simulation activities, and high-level panel debates with experts in the field

Each course may be oriented to accommodate specific needs of course participants identified by course management. The core training course aims to cover a selection of the following topics:

- Introduction to International Humanitarian Law
- Interplay between International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law
- Humanitarian Principles, Protection, Access and Assistance
- Refugees and Internally Displayed Persons – protection and relief
- Humanitarian Needs Assessment
- Child Protection in Emergencies
- Gender and Humanitarian Action
- Women’s Role in Conflict Resolution (e.g. UN SR 1325)
- HIV/AIDS in CPEs
- Participation of Crisis-Affected Populations in Humanitarian Action
- Strengthening Local Capacity in Humanitarian Action
- Linking Relief to Development
- Quality Management in Humanitarian Action
- Humanitarian Impact and Evaluation
- Natural Disasters
- Conflict Management in Complex Political Emergencies (CPEs)
- Codes of Conduct (Do No Harm, the Sphere project)
- Staff Security Management in CPEs
- Humanitarian Coordination and Civil-Military Coordination
- Challenges of Humanitarian Assistance

*Application
Professional affiliation with an organization or institution is a requisite for participation in the course. Thus individuals interested in applying to the course are asked to submit applications in conjunction with their employing organization.

Selection of course participants will be based on qualifications related to professional experience and interest in the sphere of humanitarian action, as indicated on the application form. A selection will be made in order to ensure a diverse and wide a range of participants.

*Contact and Inquiries
Questions concerning of the course should be addressed to Magdalena Åkkeros. Course Administrator,
e-mail: magdalena.akerros@sida.se, phone +46 (0)8-698 40 44.

Register for course here: http://www.atha.se/course-application