Call for Applications: Protection of Civilians Course (PoC) 2019
Course date
21.10.19 – 01.11.19
Introduction
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and the Government of Switzerland wish to invite qualified parties to attend the Protection of Civilians (PoC) Course in 2019.
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 has increasingly become an integral component of contemporary peace operations. Emerging international support to the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) 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 on the operational level in order to mitigate the effects of conflicts on civilians.
Selection will strive to achieve gender balance of participants.
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
Course 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
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
We strive for an equal participation of Military, Police and Civilians as well as gender balance.
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.
Relevant Information
- 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 Government of Switzerland and includes: Air travel cost from an international airport to Accra/Ghana, Airport shuttle to and from KAIPTC, accommodation and food as well as facilitation fees.
- Visa costs and travel cost to your next international airport will be borne by the participant. KAIPTC won’t refund any cost borne by the participants.
- 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 Government of Switzerland will not bear any costs caused by illness or accident.
- No-shows or cancellation of confirmed participants: resulting costs are to be borne by the participant.
How to Apply
Only fully completed applications that are submitted via the application portal below will be taken into consideration.
Selection
We will receive roughly 15 applications for each and every seat available on this course. The process will be as following:
- Selection Board will decide on shortlisted and waitlisted applications (end June 2019)
- Shortlisted candidates will be asked to confirm their seats bindingly
- Should not all shortlisted candidates confirm their seats, these will be offered to candidates on the waitlist on “first come first served” basis
Contact
Training Coordination Officer
Mrs Marylyn Agblor
Tel. +233 (0) 302 718200 Ext. 1012
Fax. +233 (0) 302 718201
Email: marylyn.agblor@kaiptc.org or training@kaiptc.org
Course Director
Maj Adrian Zurmuehle (Swiss Armed Forces)
Course Director
Tel.: +233 (0) 302 718200 Ext. 1315
Mob: +233 (0) 558 490 632
Email: adrian.zurmuehle@kaiptc.org