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IPI and the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations cohosted a policy forum on March 13th on “The Protection of Civilians in African-led and UN-led Peace Operations.”

The purpose of this event was to discuss how the protection of civilians (POC) has been undertaken within peace operations that are African-led and UN-led, looking particularly at the respective comparative advantages, limitations, and lessons learned. The event also launched the IPI publication, “The United Nations-African Union Partnership and the Protection of Civilians,” authored by Andrew E. Yaw Tchie, Senior Researcher with the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, and Lauren McGowan, Policy Analyst with IPI.

Building on the insights of the report, this forum brought together representatives of the UN Secretariat, AU Commission, member states, and civil society organizations to discuss how the protection of civilians will be upheld in the context of partnerships in peace operations.

Opening Remarks:
Djeyhoun Ostowar, Counsellor, Deputy Head of Political Affairs Section, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations

Speakers:
Lauren McGowan, Policy Analyst, International Peace Institute
Andrew E. Yaw Tchie, Senior Researcher, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Yishak Tefferi, Protection of Civilians Officer in the Policy, Evaluation and Training Division, UN Department of Peace Operations
Adebayo Kareem, Coordinator, Human Rights, Compliance & Accountability Project, African Union (VTC)
Emma Birikorang, Director of Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (VTC)

Moderator:
Jenna Russo, Director of Research and Head of the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations, International Peace Institute