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Project Summary
SHARINPEACE was completed in November 2024. We can look back on almost 3 years of intensive project work. Together we developed an online simulation (Crisis Intervention Simulation, CRIS) and carried out two pilot runs. The Eramus+ project may have come to an end, but for CRIS it is only the beginning: we will continue to run the simulation together.
Background
SHARINPEACE addressed critical gaps in integrating human rights and peacebuilding into higher education and practice, aligning with the "EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democratisation 2020-2024." It sought to prepare future decision-makers to view human rights as intrinsic to sustainable conflict transformation and EU democratic values. The project responded to the urgent need for high-quality, inclusive digital education, highlighted by the pandemic, by developing the Crisis Intervention Simulation (CRIS). This innovative educational setting offered students a hands-on, interactive experience, bridging theoretical knowledge and practical application in conflict resolution while mitigating isolation from distance learning. The inclusion of policy/peace practitioners ensured that the module reflected real-world needs and provided tailored training for future professionals. By combining student-centred, transnational learning with active collaboration between academia and practitioners, SHARINPEACE reinforced EU priorities for fostering resilient, inclusive societies and advancing human rights in peacebuilding.
Objectives
SHARINPEACE aimed to strengthen the integration of human rights into conflict management training, fostering greater awareness among students and educators. The core objective was the implementation of an EU-wide, two-part module. The first part focused on equipping students with essential competencies in peace, peacebuilding and human rights, while the second part enabled them to apply these skills in a network-wide Crisis Intervention Simulation (CRIS). By doing so, the project sought to empower students to address pressing societal challenges, including polarisation, populism, and climate change, while fostering a positive attitude towards EU values. The project also aimed to enhance international cooperation among educators and learners, creating a transnational simulation-based learning experience. It sought to advance online teaching and learning practices for a post-pandemic era. Additionally, SHARINPEACE involved policy/peace practitioners at every stage, ensuring the module reflected their expertise and real-world needs while providing tailored strategies to incorporate human rights into conflict management.
Implementation
In the SHARINPEACE project, we implemented a two-part module centred on integrating human rights into peacebuilding, culminating in the online Crisis Intervention Simulation (CRIS). The first part of the module provides students with foundational knowledge and skills through lectures and workshops on the nexus between human rights and peacebuilding. These activities covered key theoretical frameworks and practical insights, ensuring students gained a comprehensive understanding of the subject. The second part focused on applying these competences in CRIS, a dynamic and immersive simulation that escalated a real-world conflict. Students assumed roles of policy/peacebuilding organisations, engaging in negotiations and strategy development. Notably, CRIS incorporated innovative elements, such as students conducting interviews with policy/peace practitioners to develop their role profiles. This approach ensured the simulation was both realistic and highly interactive. The module was tested and refined through two pilot runs, supported by collaborative efforts among students, educators, and policy/peace practitioners. These activities fostered practical learning experiences while strengthening connections between academia and real-world conflict management practices.
Results
The SHARINPEACE project delivered a range of impactful outputs that strengthened its objectives of integrating human rights into peacebuilding education. Key tangible results included comprehensive reports, such as a literature review exploring the connection between human rights and peacebuilding, and an analysis of Peace and Conflict Studies programmes across Europe. These foundational documents provided critical insights into current practices and informed subsequent project developments. Guidelines for simulation-based learning were another significant output, offering practical tools for educators to implement innovative teaching methods. Additionally, detailed evaluations of pilot activities were conducted, capturing feedback from students, educators, and policy/peace practitioners. This feedback was essential in refining both the educational strategies and technical tools used in the project. The policy recommendations developed as part of SHARINPEACE were a further notable achievement, addressing how to better integrate human rights and peacebuilding within academic and professional frameworks. Alongside an academic publication, these outputs enhanced the project's dissemination and established a foundation for future collaborative efforts in higher education.
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Simulating Human Rights in Peacebuilding SHARINPEACE
Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships, 2021-1-DE01-KA220-HED-000031133
