Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict (POC17)
Introduction
The Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and the Swiss Confederation wish to invite qualified parties to attend the course “Protection of Civilians”.
It was a Swiss, Henry Dunant, founding member of the International Committee of the Red Cross, who in the 19th century put forward the idea of codifying the law of war, which led to the signing of the First Geneva Convention in 1864. From this original text were born the modern rules of war, which are mainly contained in the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols.
The changing nature of today’s armed conflicts has resulted in an increased civilian-combatant interface to the extent that contemporary conflicts have been referred to as ‘wars among the people’. Civilian populations bear the greatest brunt of today’s complex and intractable conflicts. This change has necessitated both doctrinal and operational shifts in peace support operations.
Protection of Civilians (POC) has increasingly become an integral component of contemporary peace operations. Emerging international support to the “responsibility to protect” norm notwithstanding, peacekeepers and other actors involved in peace support operations are often not adequately prepared or trained to deal with the daunting task of civilian protection agenda.
Course Aim
The aim of this course is to enhance the capacity of participants for the effective implementation of POC mandates in Peace Operations in order to mitigate the effects of conflicts on civilians.
Objectives
On completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the concept of POC in Peace Operations
- Explain the legal and normative frameworks that support the POC
- Compare the different ways to protect civilians in armed conflicts
- Identify the need for a POC plan and implement the mandate
Content
The course syllabus covers the following modules:
- Background and History of POC
- Overview of contemporary UN, AU/REC Peace Operations
- UN/AU/REC’s Approach to POC
- Normative Framework of POC
- SSR, R2P and POC
- Gender and POC
- POC in Practice: Practitioners’ perspective
- POC in Practice: Challenges and Controversies
Teaching Methods
The course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, case studies, small group works and exercises among others.
The “Problem-Based Learning Approach” will be used in the delivery of the course; hence, participants will play a very active role under the guidance of an experienced team of facilitators.
Target Group
The training course targets Mid-level (operational) personnel:
- UN/AU/RECs Staff
- Mission personnel
- Military & Police personnel
- Humanitarian Actors
- Government officials
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Civil Society Organizations
Selection will strive to achieve gender balance of participants.
Relevant Facts
- The course is conducted in English – no translation.
- The course is residential and course participants will be accommodated at the KAIPTC.
- Estimated budgeted costs will be covered by the Swiss Confederation and includes facilitation fees, air travel from international airport, food and accommodation for participants and facilitators. UN/AU/REC personnel are required to use their organisation’s means of transport (e.g. UN flights), which will help reduce overall costs considerably.
- All nominated participants will have to complete an eLearning introduction prior to the commencement of the course. The acquired certification is a condition for admission.
- All nominated participants will have to proof adequate health insurance coverage prior to the commencement of the course. KAIPTC or the Swiss Confederation will not bear any costs caused by illness or accident.
How to Apply
Only fully completed applications that are submitted via the application portal below will be taken into consideration.
Click here to APPLY.
Application Deadline is 31st August, 2017
Contact
Administrative Issues:
Ms Marylyn Akabutu
Training Coordinator
marylyn.akabutu@kaiptc.org
Tel. +233 302 718200 Ext. 1012
Fax. +233 302 718201