The PoC program primarily operates in Burkina Faso, Iraq, and South Sudan, but we also use the knowledge and experience gathered there to engage with multinational institutions, to design and carry out PoC training modules, and to advocate on certain thematic issues. We roughly distinguish our work in activities related to Research, Training & Advice, and Advocacy, while noting that there can be considerable overlap between them.
In addition to the regular survey perception research that is carried out in Burkina Faso, Iraq, and South Sudan – the Human Security Survey – the PoC program implements occasional and stand-alone, qualitative research. For instance, to address information or evidentiary gaps, to call attention to urgent or neglected topics, or to facilitate evidence-based advocacy on the policy, tools or measures that are needed to improve the protection of civilians.
PAX has a long track record and solid reputation for its work on civilian harm mitigation (CHM) in particular, having carried out much research into the direct and reverberating civilian harm effects of armed conflict, as well as on the tools and measures needed by security actors to minimize, mitigate or address such harm. This has informed much of our training & advice, as well as our advocacy work with a range of actors and institutions, including the UN, NATO, as well as bilaterally in our focus countries and with other key states. In 2021, PAX published the book On Civilian Harmto draw attention to the many and often long-term ways in which conflict negatively affects civilians, through 13 detailed case studies.
As part of the research track, PAX also joined forces with UK monitoring organization Airwars to develop the Civilian Protection Monitor: a public framework for monitoring state policy and practice on the protection of civilians from their own military actions. This framework, the first country analyses, and the project website were launched in April 2025. This work continues to be carried forward by Airwars.
To improve the capacity to protect civilians, PAX works with military, law enforcement and governmental agencies in the focus countries and internationally. Depending on the context, our involvement can include advice on formulation of new, or reviews of existing policies, and the implementation of those policies. Implementation can include designing and delivering training on protection; support for curriculum development; development of Codes of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures; and developing, delivering or participating in tabletop exercises.
Depending on the context, courses and exercises can target junior-level officers for basic understanding of protection concepts tasks, to senior-level officers for in-depth understanding of specialist concepts and tasks. In many cases, we train and give longer-term guidance to trainers.
PAX and its partners advocate for improved protection of civilians by leveraging our knowledge of the political and operational contexts of our target audiences at local, national, and international levels and by providing useful, timely insights into policy-making processes. Whereas many policymakers may have limited access to those most affected by conflict, PAX’s partners and networks at the community level enable us to provide unique and credible civilian-centric perspectives in policy hubs like New York and Brussels. We do so through sharing rich research and analysis, as well as by creating opportunities for members of civil society to contribute directly to key policy-influencing moments at multilateral institutions, such as mission mandate renewals, annual thematic debates, and other policy review processes. By using our position and access to amplify voices farthest from institutional power centers, the program adds nuance to dominant narratives and helps correct structural barriers to serving the needs of underrepresented and conflict-affected communities.
PAX also uses its convening power to engage a wide range of stakeholders in assessing operational realities and consolidating and sharing lessons learned across contexts and levels. PAX advocates for practical application of these lessons in pursuit of improved norms, policies, and practices.
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