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Multi-level Negotiation, Mediation and Diplomacy: ‘Negotiating with difficult actors’ , OxPeace Training Workshop 23-24 April 2026
Note that this is a TWO-DAY workshop, over two full days Thurs 23 and Fri 24 April, 09.30-17.30. . The exact venue will be confirmed as soon as possible, either in St John's or inearby. See the Abstract for application details.
OxPeace invites applications for this year’s intensive two-day training workshop, Thurs 23 – Fri 24 April (0th Week, Trinity Term) in international and local negotiation, mediation, and diplomacy, covering core concepts, lessons learned from the field and hands-on exercises. The course will in particular focus on how to mediate conflict and negotiate with difficult actors, who resist agreements for mutual gain and disregard established international norms and principles.
Participants gain an overview of the practice — and theory — of peace and conflict negotiation and mediation. They will develop an understanding of the core concepts of distributive and integrative negotiations and will explore the particularities of international political negotiations, including intercultural aspects and value conflicts. Lessons learned from real-life peace mediation cases will be presented. Several role-plays help participants fine-tune key techniques for reaching agreements that work in the real world. Participants will explore evidence-based conflict mediation and negotiation tools and apply them in a wide range of practical exercises. They will learn about best practices from real life international negotiation and peace mediation cases and will discuss the benefits and challenges of using these concepts when dealing with difficult actors. On Day 2, participants build on their learnings, applying the concepts to engaging with difficult actors. Interactive discussions and exercises support participants to anchor and apply these concepts further.
Who can apply: Applications are invited from students, practitioners, and academics from the areas of government and diplomacy, civil society including business and faith-based organisations, NGOs, the media, and all with a particular interest in international and local negotiations, conflict mediation, peacemaking and peacebuilding.
Trainers: Martin Albani and Valentin Ade.
Martin Albani is the former Head of the Peace Mediation and Dialogue Sector in the Foreign Service of the European Union (European External Action Service). A career EU diplomat (currently on sabbatical) he has more than 15 years’ experience in foreign affairs, conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Martin regularly lectures and holds workshops on peacebuilding and international negotiations at different universities and for international organisations.
Dr Valentin Ade teaches negotiation at the University of St. Gallen, for the UN, and for a wide range of businesses, government organisations, and civil society actors. He is the founder of The Negotiation Studio (www.negotiationstudio.com).
Participation fee and practical details
A subsidy from the Oxford Peace Research Trust allows the fee to be just £50 for students, £100 for academic staff, and £350 for practitioners, with the voluntary option to help subsidise the student fee by paying an additional £50 or £100.The fee includes teas, coffees, sandwich lunches, and informal dinner on Thursday, but please note that accommodation is not included. The course organisers are not able to help participants to find accommodation, which can be expensive in Oxford and needs to be booked well in advance.
Application
Please submit a short statement (up to 200 words) stating why you would like to participate in this workshop, together with your brief CV (including your present course of study if you are a student), any dietary requirements, and your full contact details (email, phone, and full postal address) to Assistant Organiser Thomas Chapman Thomas.chapman@balliol.ox.ac.uk, Please apply as soon as possible, and at latest by 1 April 2025. Early applications are encouraged. We will reply as quickly as possible to let you know if you have a place. We will send bank details for payment, and your place will be confirmed on reception of the fee.
NB: Visas: Any applicant who needs a visa should request an invitation letter (email all necessary personal details to Thomas Chapman) and start applying, immediately on acceptance to the workshop.
Date:
23 April 2026, 9:00
Venue:
Mark Bedingham Room (tbc)
Speakers:
Martin Albani,
Dr Valentin Ade (The Negotiation Studio)
Organising department:
Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR)
Organiser:
Liz Carmichael (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address:
Thomas.Chapman@balliol.ox.ac.uk
Host:
OxPeace (University of Oxford)
Part of:
OxPeace Events
Booking required?:
Required
Booking email:
thomas.chapman@balliol.ox.ac.uk
Cost:
Students £50, academic staff £100, preacttioners £350
Audience:
Public
Editor:
Liz Carmichael
