The Protection of Civilians (PoC) is at the heart of PAX’s work and has found a dedicated home in the PoC program, established in 2016. (Read more about our team’s history in About us.) With one quarter of the world’s population living in fragile or conflict-affected states and conflict rates rising globally, PoC is an urgent objective.
PAX recognizes that current conflicts are complex, interconnected phenomena causing immense harm to civilians. High-intensity urban conflict, climate-change related resource scarcity, and increased capabilities of non-state actors call for adequate protection norms, standards, and capacities. The PoC program’s approach targets actors and needs at all levels to influence policy and behavior in a way that meaningfully improves the security of people living in conflict-affected areas. We seek to achieve more proactive and inclusive protection and reduced civilian harm by working with civilians, authorities, and institutions, from the grassroots to the international level. We seek to raise awareness of urgent protection and human security needs, and to influence policy towards delivering more inclusive and civilian-centered protection strategies.
At the grassroots level, PAX works with trusted partners to conduct research, facilitate inclusive dialogue, and support community-driven peacebuilding efforts. At the international level, we contribute to PoC mainstreaming, provide tailored training and advice, and engage in targeted and evidence-based advocacy. Critically, we work hard to link these levels through convening, building bridges, and sharing lessons learned.
The PoC program currently implements activities in Burkina Faso, Iraq, and South Sudan, as well as engaging with multinational institutions like the UN, NATO, and EU.
Learn more about our work in Burkina Faso, Iraq, and South Sudan, and with institutions like the UN, NATO, and EU.
Learn more about our intervention strategies, and how we do research, advocacy, training and assistance related to PoC.
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