The United Nations Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course – 13 (UNCPoCC – 13)
UN Certified Course
Description.
The United Nations Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course – 13 (UNCPoCC – 13) was held from 12 February 2024 to 23 March 2024. This UN-certified course was conducted with the purpose to educate and sensitize the participants about the functioning of the UN, the roles and responsibilities of the Peacekeepers, and educating participants about working in peacekeeping operations to develop a conceptual framework for PoC.
Participation.
The course was attended by 23 participants from diverse backgrounds, including military personnel, police officers, and civilians. Of these, 12 were from friendly countries such as Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, South Africa, and Turkiye. Additionally, 4 participants were from the Pakistan Army, 2 from the police department, and 5 were civilians, contributing to the course’s diversity.
Conduct Methodology.
The participants went through an initial test at the commencement of the course. The course mainly focused on the latest Specialized Training Material (STM) for the Protection of Civilians. However, important and relevant lectures from the Core Pre-deployment Training Module (CPTM 2107) were included. Subject Matters Experts (SMEs) including representatives from UN organizations also delivered lectures. Moreover, the interaction of both army officers and civilian participants fostered a collaborative environment conducive to mutual learning and the exchange of insights from diverse perspectives on peacekeeping.
Visits.
During their stay, the officers enjoyed visits to iconic landmarks in and around Islamabad with an entire day at Murree at the Chinar Golf Club, allowing them to experience the natural beauty of Pakistan. Alongside this, the participants visited the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum and Pakistan Monument to fully experience Pakistan and its rich heritage and culture.
Closing Ceremony.
During the closing ceremony of the United Nations Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course (UNCPoCC-13), Major General Raja Aftab Khan, HI (M), Retired, extended his compliments to the participants for successfully completing the course.
He highlighted the course’s importance in preparing participants to deal with real-time situations. Civilians, he noted, are often intentionally subjected to physical harm, psychological trauma, displacement, loss of livelihood, denial of access to basic needs, and grave human rights violations. These are just a few of the crises civilians face. He emphasized that understanding the dynamics of conflict zones and the laws and protocols governing armed conflict is essential for participants, regardless of their capacity within a UN mission. This knowledge, he stressed, is crucial for effectively protecting vulnerable populations.
Further, he underscored the necessity of being prepared to provide physical protection, humanitarian assistance, community engagement, capacity building, mediation, negotiation, and even monitoring and reporting. Expressing confidence in the participants, he mentioned that they had studied all these aspects and more during the two weeks of the UNCPoCC- 13. He also recommended comprehensively reviewing the case studies of atrocities committed by rebels to fully grasp the gravity and magnitude of the violence inflicted upon civilians, which would reinforce the course’s significance.
In closing, he once again congratulated the participants, faculty, and training team for successfully organizing and completing the course. He underscored that the knowledge and skills gained during this intensive course would greatly assist participants in their future assignments, enhancing their ability to perform their duties effectively in complex and challenging environments. Lastly, he expressed his confidence that the participants would apply what they have learned to safeguard the lives of civilians in conflict zones and contribute to the overall success of UN missions.
