Virtual event PoC week 2020: Training for the protection of civilians

Background
Since the UN Security Council first established the protection of civilians (PoC) as an explicit mandate in UN peacekeeping operations in 1999, peacekeeping has evolved significantly and much progress has been made in elevating the protection of civilians on the international agenda. National and international training institutions have developed various training courses focusing on the protection of civilians in peacekeeping operations and have incorporated PoC into existing training curricula. However, despite its prioritization, the building of national and international capacities to protect civilians in complex and fragile settings is riddled with challenges such as competing coordination mechanisms, limited capacities to plan for and adjust to local realities, a general lack of outcome tracking, and ultimately the risk of harming human security despite the best intentions.

Format
The event will be held virtually via Zoom from 10:00am – 11:45am on 1 June 2020. Following welcoming remarks, the panel will begin with introductions by the moderator and briefings from selected featured discussants representing T/PCC governments, the UN Department of Peace Operations’ Policy, Evaluation and Training Division, civil society, and practitioners from training institutions. Each briefer will be allotted an initial 10 minutes to speak. The briefing will be followed by an opportunity for an interactive discussion during which the floor will be open to the audience for a Q&A session moderated by Mr. Hans Rouw of PAX.

Training for the protection of civilians: Assessing the challenges and best practices of contributions to UN peacekeeping training
PoC Week virtual side event to UNSC Open Debate on PoC
June 1, 2020
10:00am – 11:45am EDT
Meeting to be held virtually via Zoom

Program:

10:00 am – 10:15 am | Opening remarks

H.E. Mr. Karel J.G. van Oosterom, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations
H.E. Mr. Carlos Amorín, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uruguay to the United Nations
10:15 am – 11:00 am | Moderated panel featuring:

Major General (ret.) Patrick Cammaert, Former Military Adviser, Force Commander and Head of UNMHA
Mark Pedersen, Chief of the Integrated Training Service, UN Department of Peace Operations
Dr. Lotte Vermeij, Senior Advisor, Norwegian Armed Forces
11:00 am – 11:30 am | Moderated interactive discussion among all participants with featured discussants

11:30 am – 11:45 am | Concluding remarks:

Robert Kayinamura, First Counsellor and Political Coordinator of the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations
H.E. Ms. Rabab Fatima, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations
RSVP and further information:
Please register via https://bit.ly/registerPoCtrainingevent by 5pm EDT Wednesday, May 27, 2020. Prior registration is required to attend, but please note that participation in this virtual event will be limited and early registration is recommended. Joining instructions to follow via email.