Training

IAP2 Elective Courses

UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT IN P2/ENGAGEMENT

Prerequisite: Fundamentals in P2/Engagement, IAP2 Way in Challenging Context or the previous Foundations program.

The aim of this Conflict in Engagement course is to help you understand, and more effectively manage, conflict dynamic.

  • DATE: MAY 8, 2025
    TIME: 9:00am - 4:00pm MST
    DELIVERY:     IN-PERSON IN EDMONTON
    VENUE: Stanley A. Milner Library in Edmonton, Civic Room

  • DATE: NOVEMBER 28, 2025
    TIME: 9:00am - 4:00pm MST
    DELIVERY:     IN-PERSON IN REGINA
    VENUE: The University of Regina College ave campus

  • Course Objectives:

    • Explore a range of approaches for responding to difficult situations and challenging behaviours

    • Practice ways to respond to difficult situations

    • Explore the five dimensions of engagement conflict and ways and tools to anticipate and/or mitigate factors that might give rise to conflict

    • Understand the sources, types and factors that contribute to conflict in P2/engagement and the impact they may have on the process

    • Understand the role of power and influence in engagement practice

    • Understand and identify the cycle of escalation and the behaviours, attitudes and actions that are evident as conflict increases

    • Contribute to and/or apply strategies to de-escalate challenging situations

    • Identify how to build effective relationships and partnerships through empathy, active listening, respect and trust

    • Learn approaches to work in challenging situations applying behaviours that build trust and credibility

    • Consider the role of integrity and ethics in the conduct of the P2/engagement practitioner and how that is upheld in the process

  • People facing conflict in their engagement practice.

FACILITATING GROUPS

Prerequisite: Fundamentals in P2/Engagement, IAP2 Way in Challenging Context or the previous Foundations program.

The aim of Facilitating Groups is to explore the framework and develop skills and confidence in facilitating P2/engagement methods. The focus will be about enhancing practitioners’ ability to respond appropriately, generating confidence in and support for your facilitation approach.

  • DATE: May 28-29, 2025 (2 sessions)
    TIME: 12:00-3:30pm EST
    DELIVERY:     Online via Zoom
    Co-hosted with Bravely Lead

  • DATE: Nov 20, 2025
    TIME: 9:00am - 4:00pm MST
    DELIVERY:     In-person in Winnipeg
    VENUE: Creative Manitoba

    • Examine the framework and purpose of facilitation in an engagement context

    • Build a repertoire of tools and processes

    • Practice some core skills

    • Troubleshoot specific challenges

    • Explore the changes needed for facilitation of digital engagement processes

  • Practitioners beginning to facilitate in their P2/engagement practise

IAP2 Working in Conflict & High Emotion thumbnail image

WORKING WITH CONFLICT & HIGH EMOTION IN P2/ENGAGEMENT

Prerequisite: Fundamentals in P2/Engagement, IAP2 Way in Challenging Context or the previous Foundations program.

The focus of this course is on de-escalating and shifting conflict and high emotion to constructive participation, where forward momentum and resolution is possible. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the state of conflict, and work with practical, tangible approaches to de-escalate and transform challenges. Over the course, we will cover tools, strategies and ways of working to resolve polarised and emotional challenges.

  • DATE: June 16-19, 2025 (4 sessions)
    TIME: 1:30 PM 4:30 PM (EDT)
    DELIVERY:     Online via Zoom
    Co-hosted with IAP2 Canada

  • OBJECTIVES

    • Assess the state of conflict and emotion in the P2/engagement process and identify how to address it to create productive and constructive approaches

    • Work with the stages of conflict escalation and apply the concepts of de-escalation

    • Apply a variety of strategies to transform the conflict in P2/engagement practice

    • Identify the impact of high emotion and apply a range of approaches to de-escalate P2/engagement challenges

    • Identify how to reduce conflict in situations of misinformation and duelling facts

    • Apply the principles of story-telling to connect people to each other, increase understanding and reduce conflict

    • Learn from mistakes and understand the role of failure in P2/engagement processes

    • Identify and apply how to model integrity and behaviours that de-escalate conflict

    • Apply the strategies and tools to your own project or situation

  • Who should take this course?

    • Intermediate level practitioners who are leading and managing P2/engagement processes with challenges, scope and scale

    • Intermediate to advanced practitioners looking for tools and strategies to apply to a polarized, charged P2/engagement environment

    • Practitioners with experience in P2/engagement processes where is conflict and/or high emotion

UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE & COMMUNITIES

Prerequisite: Fundamentals in P2/Engagement, IAP2 Way in Challenging Context or the previous Foundations program.

Learn about and apply deep understanding and insights into the people and communities involved in P2/engagement processes, in order to make the processes more meaningful and effective. This course provides an introduction to working with diversity, equity and inclusion in P2/engagement.

New dates coming soon

  • By the end of this course, participants will be able to: 

    • Identify and apply an approach for understanding people and communities for P2/Engagement processes

    • Reflect on factors of cultural competence and cultural humility and assess your practice and approach against the factors to identify areas of strength and growth

    • Apply a variety of analysis and mapping tools to understand diversity

    • Apply a variety of analysis and mapping tools including values and perspectives mapping

    • Identify ways to increase access and centre equity by reducing barriers to participation 

    • Reflect on how to build rapport, trust and relationships with people and communities and apply and assess approaches in a P2/engagement scenario

    • Assess and apply diversity and values mapping to planning and implementation of meaningful and effective P2/engagement across the Practice Framework  

    • Practitioners building their skills to contribute to meaningful P2/engagement processes

    • Practitioners who want to understand and apply aspects of equity, diversity and inclusion to their P2/engagement programs

    • Practitioners and allied professionals who are looking to build their skills in understanding who to engage in meaningful P2/engagement

“Thank you! I just wanted to let you know that the three days with you and our group of participants REALLY went so far above and beyond my wildest expectations. The IAP2 material was great, but the real zinger of the experience was you as a facilitator and trainer. I know I’m already equipped with much more than just the IAP2 framework – the tips and tricks you shared with us about leading, facilitating and practicing with intention are basically going to be foundational for everything, not just engagement. So, like from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! My bucket is full and I can’t wait to top it back up in May. ”
— Lisa, Training Participant