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Protection of Civilians (PoC) in peace mission, key to lasting peace

Following the failures of the international community to intervene in Rwanda, Srebrenica, Liberia, Sierra Leone and many other conflicts, peace keeping operations place Protection of Civilians (POC) as one their core mandates.

Security Council Resolutions acknowledge that civilians must be protected from the consequences of violent conflicts. POC mandates are multi-dimensional, and focus on providing physical protection, the support to the establishment of a protective environment and political advocacy with the parties into the conflict. Current POC policies and guidelines are intended to take necessary action to enable these three different levels of responses to protection challenges.

Addressing these concerns is also key to creating lasting political solutions to conflicts. In this respect, the United Nations Secretariat, through its Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO), has introduced standard operational guidance to inform implementation of civilian protection mandates, which have been supplemented by mission-specific policies and practices that address specific local circumstances.

The international Training Course on Protection of Civilians (PoC) in Peace Missions will allow participants to understand the theory and practice of POC in UN field missions.  Using case studies, interactive exercises and experience sharing, participants will expand their POC knowledge and skills to be better equipped to face the challenges of developing and implementing effective POC strategies.

The training course aims to familiarize participants with the concepts, tools and methodologies in place to implement POC strategies and programmes from a practical perspective. Specifically, it also aims to prepare participants for the recruitment processes as POC Officers with the UN Secretariat and field missions.

The overall objectives of the course are to:

• Provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of POC practice in UN field missions;
• Receive extensive materials and practical guidance and insights from highly experienced current and former senior POC officers;
• Provide participants with effective tools in a highly specialised area of UN practice;
• Prepare candidates for recruitment as POC, Protection, and Child Protection officers with UN DPKO; and provide guidance for those seeking engagement with UN Agencies, Funds, & Programmes, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), etc.;
• Provide an opportunity to network and develop mentoring relationships with current and former practitioners within the United Nations.

For whom is this course?

The course is designed to benefit candidates wishing to become POC officers with United Nations Field Operations, and would be of interest to staff members in international entities, UN Agencies Funds and Programmes, NGOs and corporations operating in protection activities, officers in Ministries of Foreign Affairs dealing with UN portfolios, police and military officers contemplating peacekeeping and observation missions as part of their pre-deployment training, research institutes and other international organisations and donors supporting field missions, etc.

Applicants holding degree/s qualifying for entry into the UN Civil Service and fully conversant with written and spoken English at a professional working level will be given priority to enroll. Candidates not meeting all these criteria may be accepted at the discretion of the organisers and subject to availability of places.

Organized by

The Barcelona International Peace Center (BIPC) jointly with 2gedar-PeaceOps and Development Network.

Barcelona International Peace Center

The BIPC's main activity is an international specialized training program designed to meet the extensive learning needs of civilian personnel and to equip them with the skills they need to engage in field operations around the world.

The program has a strong practical focus and is based on experience accumulated in the field. Knowledge-sharing between participants, peer-to-peer exchange, simulations and case studies prepare participants for UN-roasters and successful field work.

To offer the highest possible quality, the BIPC works in conjunction with international organizations and academic institutions that are leaders in their fields.

2gedar-PeaceOps and Development Network

2gedar PeaceOps & Development Network designs and presents specialized, practical and hands-on training programs in peacekeeping, peace building and public development sectors. Our courses aim to prepare participants for the realities of actual field needs, and are carried out by an international team of highly experienced practitioners. Our courses and presentations seek to provide the required skills to successfully face entrance examinations and interview requirements into United Nations and UN Agencies, Funds and programs, each course focused on a very specific area of practice. Specialized courses are also designed for pre-deployment training of peacekeeping missions’ troop and police contingents.