The main objective of the Integrated DDR Training Group (IDDRTG) is to develop and deliver training courses in order to meet the increasing need for highly qualified DDR practitioners, planners, trainers and policy makers.

The IDDRTG will be chaired on a rotational basis, starting with the Bonn International Center for Conversion and the Swedish National Defense College taking the lead for the first two years, calculated from the date of its first meeting. The chairing organizations will provide the de facto secretariat of the group.

Membership is by application and/or invitation. New institutions may join the IDDRTG upon agreement of the members. The IDDRTG can invite organizations to participate in its work as observers. Members can end their membership at any time, but should inform the group at least one month in advance.

Members are required to actively contribute towards group activities.

Article 5

This cooperation statement will be jointly reviewed at a minimum every 2 years by the members of the IDDRTG.

The IDDRTG will meet at least once a year.

Article 6

The United Nations’ DDR Interagency Working Group (UN DDR IAWG)

ANNEX TO THE INTEGRATED DDR TRAINING GROUP

Additional principles and objectives of the IDDRTG:

Training and Materials

We are engaged in training, not in academic lecturing. Training must be practical and interactive. We will distinguish between trainers and speakers who make short presentations on specific subjects.

Wishing to contribute to capacity-building in a wider context, we will not only teach, but also develop teaching material which we will share within the syndicate and wherever possible make available to other users. We will also seek to train trainers.

We will develop a common framework for levels of qualification and agree on how to design courses for these various levels and whom they will serve.

We will promote problem-based learning, focussed on the practical challenges of DDR.

We will gradually develop a shared language and approach with respect to DDR training, without seeking uniformity.

We will not only use English, but seek to provide DDR training and training material in other relevant languages.

We will honour the terms of exchange of copyright material individually set by the members of the IDDRTG.

Trainers and Trainees

We will seek diversity in our trainers and trainees, with a healthy mix with respect to sex, professional and cultural background, civilian and military status.

We will expect a high level of professionalism from instructors and other resource persons, as well as trainees.

We will promote the sharing of trainers and other resource persons among syndicate members and with others engaged in DDR training.

We will seek to assess and certify the performance of trainees. It is also desirable for this information to be communicated to the trainees’ organisations and other relevant bodies, having obtained the trainees’ permission. Course certificates will indicate on what basis they were awarded.

We will ask the trainees to assess the quality of our training and material.

We will require full attendance and active participation from trainees.

We will promote the selection of appropriate candidates for training.

We will seek to engage one or more officials from relevant UN organisations (IAWG members) in each course as a resource person.

Our training will be based on explaining and critically reflecting on the UN’s Integrated DDR Standards.

We will actively contribute to the further development of the UN’s Integrated DDR Standards, the UN DDR Resource Centre and related efforts of the international community.

Issues for DDR Training

We will plan DDR courses backwards, starting with the desired end result of the process.

Reintegration is a more appropriate starting point than disarmament.

We will seek to identify, formulate, share and apply best practices in DDR training.

The UN standards will be acknowledged as our guideline for training. In addition to these standards, we will also focus on national counterparts as the principal stakeholders in the process of DDR. It is further acknowledged, that the primary role of the UN, in the countries concerned, is the provision of support and assistance.