Peacekeeping Training

Overview

UNITAR’s Peacekeeping Training Programme (PTP) is currently being restructured with the main objective of developing a universal certification for personnel about to be deployed as peacekeepers. PTP will focus on three dimensions of peacekeeping operations including military, police and civilian aspects.

An Advisory Panel composed of eminent specialists and practitioners from within and outside the UN system is being constituted and will provide guidance on the curriculum as well as on quality assurance aspects of the training programme.

Objectives

Courses will be designed and developed to respond to training needs related to the three dimensions mentioned above, by enshrining a series of core topics in the main subject areas.

Target Audience

Participants will include personnel about to be deployed, both civilian and police, members from troop contributing countries who are potential peacekeepers (such as media, NGOs, activists, humanitarian personnel and International Civil Servants) and any other individual interested in peacekeeping.

Methodology

In recent years, UNITAR has developed extensive expertise in the delivery of web-based training. In order to ensure the best possible outreach the courses will be delivered primarily through e-Learning. Blended approaches i.e. combinations of on-line learning with face-to-face-training are also envisaged. UNITAR will use its extensive knowledge of partner learning institutions to relay or deliver most of the programmes.

Activities

As Security Council Resolution 1820 calls for the implementation of training programmes to prevent sexual violence and other forms of violence against civilians, UNITAR plans to launch the Programme’s activities with a course on Civilian Protection.

The course will be comprised of four modules covering the following topical areas:

  1. Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA)
  2. Ethics of peacekeeping
  3. Human rights and cultural awareness
  4. Protection of women and children

The completion of the whole course (four modules) will entitle participants to a “Certificate of Completion”. Each module may also be taken separately; participants would then obtain the respective “Certificate of Participation”.

It is envisaged to have the pilot course ready by February 2009.

The other three modules of the first course will follow immediately thereafter. Based on the model of this first course on Civilian Protection further courses on police and military aspects of peacekeeping will be developed.

Partners

The peacekeeping training courses will be implemented in cooperation with relevant departments and agencies within the UN system as well as in consultation with Member States, with universities, training centers and institutions outside the system knowledgeable in the delivery of peacekeeping training and in the application of modern training methodologies.

Language

In the initial phase the course will be offered in English. Translations into other official UN languages will follow.