UN Military Observers Course (UNMOC) – 20
- Gen. United Nations Military Observer Course – 20 (UNMOC- 20) was conducted at Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), NUST Islamabad from 04 Feb 2019 to 15 Feb 2019 with a purpose to educate / sensitize the participants about Roles and Responsibilities of the Peacekeepers when they are deployed as Military Experts on Mission (MEoM) in a UN Peacekeeping Mission as well as educating them of essential knowledge required by all peacekeeping personnel – military, police and civilians – to function effectively in a UN peacekeeping operation.
- Participation. 32 participants went through the course. They included 23 officers including one female officer from Pakistan Army whereas Nine officers from friendly countries attended UNMOC – 20. The foreign participants were from Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordon, Kazakhstan, Libya, and Sri Lanka.
- Conduct Methodology. The course mainly focused on latest Specialized Training Material (STM) for Military Experts on Mission. However, important and relevant lectures from Core Pre-deployment Training Module (CPTM 2017) were also included. Subject Matters Experts (SMEs) also delivered lectures. Reps of relevant UN Organizations like UNWOMEN, UNOCHA, UNHCR, UNAIDS also delivered lectures. The phases/ segments of conduct were:-
- Phases/ Segments of Training
- Phase 1: Core Pre-Deployment Training Module (CPTM)
- Phase 2: Specialized Training Material (STM) for Military Experts on Mission (MEoM)
- Phase 3: Outdoor Practical Training
- Phase 4 : Scenario Based Exercise
Visit to United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). The participants Visited UNMOGIP HQs at Islamabad. They were received by the Chief Military Observer (CMO) and other members. They were given a comprehensive briefing about the Roles/ Responsibilities and mandate of the UNMOGIP.
Outdoor Practical Training: Participants were taken in the field where they were confronted with different situation which included Media Interaction, Negotiation / Mediation, Use of Language Assistant, Ambush, Hostage Release and activities related to minefield.
CARANA Ex. CARANA Ex was conducted during the last phase of the course as per the UN ITS requirement. The entire course was distributed into three sub syndicates. It was aimed to practice Military Observers functioning / response as per mission environment and included major stages of mil planning and decision making process.
Extra-Curricular Activities. The foreign participants during their stay visited Army Museum, Pakistan Monument, Lok Versa, Army Logistic School at Kuldana and had Lunch at Chinar Golf Club, Murree. Farewell dinner was hosted at Monal. They were also taken to different markets around Islamabad for sightseeing / shopping as per the schedule/ students request.
Closing Ceremony: The closing ceremony of the course was held on 15 Feb 2019. United Nations Resident Coordinator, Pakistan Mr. Neil Buhne was the Chief Guest. After the welcome address by Maj Gen Furrukh Bashir (Retd) Principal NIPCONS, HoD PKT gave a comprehensive briefing which was followed by Certificate Award Ceremony by the Chief Guest to all the participants. DA’s of Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Libya and Deputy CMO UNMOGIP were also present on the occasion.
Closing Remarks by Chief Guest. Mr. Neil Buhne highly appreciated the contributions made by Pakistan Army in peacekeeping and commended CIPS on its achievement in a short span of time.
(Click on the photo graph for more photos of the course)
