Organization: Nonviolent Peaceforce, UN Institute for Training and Research
Registration deadline: 13 Sep 2017
Starting date: 18 Sep 2017
Ending date: 08 Nov 2017
Take the opportunity to learn about protecting civilians in violent conflicts situations, register for our online course on Unarmed Civilian Protection, a joint project of Nonviolent Peaceforce, UNITAR, and Merrimack College.
Be part of the action, learn how to directly protect civilians in violent conflict: unarmed civilian protectors can- and actually do- save lives and reduce violence. In times of war and violent conflicts that continues to kill so many civilians, especially women and children, it takes an unarmed approach to break this cycle of violence.
Open to any person considering humanitarian fieldwork, UN personnel, members of the military, law enforcement officers, nonviolent activists, students and curious civilians interested in gaining an appreciation of UCP principles, sources of guidance, methods and required skills. The facilitated course will take place from the 18th of September to the 8th of November 2017. It consists of 5 modules in 7 weeks.
What is Unarmed Civilian Protection?
Unarmed civilian protection (UCP) is a methodology for the direct protection of civilians, for violence reduction, and for supporting local peace infrastructures. UCP provides unarmed, specially trained civilians who live and work with local civil society in areas of violent conflict.
Unarmed civilian protection is an emerging discipline, currently practiced in areas of conflict such as Colombia, South Sudan, Palestine, the United States, Iraq, and the Mindanao region of the Philippines.
Always nonviolent and nonpartisan, unarmed civilian protectors support local actors as they work to address the roots and consequences of violent conflict. This practice is grounded in international law, in the principle of civilian immunity in war, and in the protection afforded by international conventions. This course aims to contribute to the common objectives of protecting civilians and keeping peace.
Why Take the Course?
This facilitated course is highly interactive. At the completion, students will know:
Foundations of nonviolence and peacekeeping
How to analyze and map a conflict
The various unarmed methodologies and where and how to apply them
Why the Urgency?
More civilians are displaced by violent conflict for longer periods than any time since World War II—and the number is growing.
Be a part of the solution: Learn field-tested, effective methods to protect civilians and prevent violence.
The High-Level Independent Panel on United Nations Peace Operations (HIPPO) asserted that “Unarmed strategies must be at the forefront of UN efforts to protect civilians.”
Become a part of the growing field of unarmed civilian protection.
Register here before September 13th!
Please note: The course will only run if there is a minimum of 25 students enrolled. If the minimum is not met, that section will be cancelled and students will have the opportunity to move their enrollment to the next course offering in the schedule.
How to register:
Register here before September 13th!