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    The International Peace Institute is an independent, non-profit organization working to strengthen inclusive multilateralism for a more peaceful and sustainable planet. Through its research, convening, and strategic advising, IPI provides innovative recommendations for the United Nations System, member states, regional organizations, civil society, and the private sector. With staff from around the world and a broad range of academic fields, IPI has offices facing United Nations headquarters in New York.

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News, Events, Publications about Protection of Civilians

  • Issue Briefs 09-05-2023by Agathe Sarfati

    New Technologies and the Protection of Civilians in UN Peace Operations

    The United Nations has increasingly focused on the modernization of peace operations, including through the Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping. However, the full potential of the link between digital transformation, new technologies, and peacekeeping has not yet been realized, particularly when it comes to the protection of civilians (POC). Too often, the […]

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    Peacekeeping, Protection of Civilians, Technology
  • Panel Discussions 12-08-2022

    Linking Politics and Protection in UN Peacekeeping

    While the UN Security Council and member states have elevated the protection of civilians (POC) and the primacy of politics as two central pillars of UN peacekeeping, it is not always clear how missions are expected to pursue these two sets of priorities together. To discuss the relationship between these pillars, IPI together with the […]

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    Protection of Civilians
  • Policy Papers 12-07-2022by Jenna Russo and Ralph Mamiya

    The Primacy of Politics and the Protection of Civilians in UN Peacekeeping

    Support to political processes and the protection of civilians (POC) are arguably the two most prominent mandated tasks for multidimensional UN peacekeeping operations. Policy guidance and independent reviews have made clear that politics and protection must be linked, yet within missions, POC is often considered in parallel to political work and is not always effectively […]

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    Peacekeeping, Protection of Civilians
  • Issue Briefs 10-17-2022by Agathe Sarfati

    Toward an Environmental and Climate-Sensitive Approach to Protection in UN Peacekeeping Operations

    Environmental degradation, including degradation caused by climate change, armed conflict, or the illegal exploitation of resources, can be a catalyst for violence against civilians. While addressing environmental degradation goes well beyond the mandates of UN peacekeeping operations, missions are increasingly focusing on climate-related security risks, and several missions have environment and climate-related language in their […]

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    Climate Change, Peacekeeping, Protection of Civilians
  • Policy Papers 05-09-2022by Jenna Russo

    UN Peacekeeping and Protection of Civilians from Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

    While all UN multidimensional peacekeeping operations are mandated to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), the missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan, as well as in the Central African Republic, are also mandated to protect civilians from sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). While SGBV is often used […]

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    Peacekeeping, Protection of Civilians, Women‚ Peace and Security
  • Policy Papers 03-22-2022by Damian Lilly

    The UN Agenda for Protection: Policy, Strategic, and Operational Priorities

    In his 2020 Call to Action on Human Rights, UN Secretary-General António Guterres committed to developing an “Agenda for Protection.” The agenda provides an opportunity for the UN to reaffirm that the protection of crisis-affected populations is fundamental to its purpose and values. To be effective it should address the lessons learned from previous efforts […]

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    Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs, Protection of Civilians, Sustainable Development, UN System
  • Policy Papers 03-10-2022by Joachim A. Koops and Christian Patz

    UN, EU, and NATO Approaches to the Protection of Civilians: Policies, Implementation, and Comparative Advantages

    The protection of civilians (POC) in armed conflict has become a core strategic objective for the United Nations system and for UN peace operations in particular. The UN, however, is not the sole actor engaged in POC. The European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), among other regional actors, have been developing their […]

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    Protection of Civilians, Regional Organizations
  • Issue Briefs 01-19-2022by Damian Lilly and Bárbara Morais Figueiredo

    Enhancing the Protection of Civilians through Conventional Arms Control

    Conventional arms control and disarmament efforts have historically been framed as a humanitarian cause to limit human suffering. However, activities with an arms control component have only featured to a limited extent within the protection of civilians (POC) mandates of United Nations peace operations. Both issues feature on the agenda of the UN Security Council, […]

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    Protection of Civilians
  • Policy Papers 01-10-2022by Agathe Sarfati and Phoebe Donnelly

    Protection Dilemmas Arising from the Reintegration of Former Combatants and the Impact of the Terrorist Designation

    The concept and implementation of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) have evolved as DDR-related activities have increasingly occurred in environments where armed conflict is ongoing, no peace agreement has been signed, and armed groups designated as terrorist organizations (AGDTOs) are operating. In parallel, reintegration has increasingly been discussed in the UN counterterrorism architecture through the […]

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    Protection of Civilians
  • Panel Discussions 09-14-2021

    United Nations Special Political Missions and Protection: A Principled Approach for Research and Policymaking

    On September 14th, IPI together with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs cohosted a policy forum on “United Nations Special Political Missions (SPMs) and Protection: A Principled Approach for Research and Policymaking.” The session provided an opportunity to present and discuss IPI’s new policy paper that considers the need for increased analysis and operational roles […]

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    Protection of Civilians
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Recent articles from
the Global Observatory

  • Linking Feminist Foreign Policy and the Care Economy in Latin America: Bringing the Local to the Multilateral

    May 12, 2025 by Evyn Papworth

    Experts have highlighted that the Latin America and Caribbean region is unique in that several countries’ care policies are situated within their gender equality policies (encompassing a root cause approach) rather than being siloed within economic and poverty reduction policies. Recognizing the vital role of care work and transforming care systems to change the unequal distribution of labor is critical to addressing the root causes of gender inequality.  The post Linking Feminist Foreign Policy and the Care Economy in Latin America: Bringing the Local to the Multilateral appeared first…

    Analysis, americas, feminist foreign policy, women peace and security
  • UN80 and the Reckoning Ahead: Can Structural Reform Deliver Real Change?

    May 8, 2025 by Jordan Ryan

    This article looks at five priorities for UN80 reforms based on the outcomes of the 2021 UN Integration Review. The article suggests that reforms…

    Analysis, UN reform, UN80
  • Coalitions for Ukraine: Moving Beyond Stop-gap Measures  

    May 2, 2025 by John Karlsrud, Yf Reykers

    Coalitions of the willing are the talk of the town these days and will play a central role in the future security of Ukraine and Europe. Yet, European leaders should not…

    Analysis, europe, peace and security, ukraine
  • A Human-Centered Approach to Peace in Ukraine: Interview with Nina Potarska

    May 1, 2025 by Albert Trithart

    Since mid-February, there have been renewed efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Preliminary negotiations…

    Interviews, peacebuilding, ukraine, women peace and security
  • The World Is Changing Rapidly: Can the United Nations Restructure to Stay Relevant?

    April 29, 2025 by Damian Lilly

    While there has been talk of UN reform for years, structural changes to the organization are now firmly…

    Analysis, UN financing, UN reform
  • The 69th Commission on the Status of Women: Not as Bad as Some Predicted

    April 28, 2025 by Olivia Parsons & Phoebe Donnelly & Evyn Papworth

    While the current geopolitical tensions created a somewhat muted atmosphere, a high level of participation indicates a…

    Analysis, csw, gender equality, women peace and security
  • Staying True to Principles at a Time of Multilateral Crisis: Interview with Juan Manuel Santos

    April 16, 2025 by Albert Trithart

    Juan Manuel Santos is the former president of Colombia and…

    Interviews, americas, multilateralism
  • Another Regional Intervention Falls Short in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    March 31, 2025 by Gwinyayi A. Dzinesa and Alexander M. Rusero

    The deadly toll of the M23’s military escalation has presented an urgent call for…

    Analysis, democratic republic of the congo, peace operations, peacekeeping
  • Political Machines: The Rise of Automated Governance and the Global Challenge to Citizens’ Rights

    March 27, 2025 by Eduardo Albrecht

    Governments worldwide have incorporated…

    Analysis, AI, multilateralism
  • Making Peace Great Again? The Challenges and Potentials of Trump’s Approach to Peace Diplomacy

    March 25, 2025 by Isabel Bramsen, Isak Svensson, Peter Wallensteen

    How should we assess Trump’s peace diplomacy? And what can Europe and Ukraine do to position themselves strategically in the diplomatic battle over Ukraine’s and Europe’s future? The post Making Peace Great Again? The Challenges and Potentials of Trump’s Approach to Peace Diplomacy appeared first on IPI Global…

    Analysis, diplomacy, peace processes, Trump, ukraine

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About the International Peace Institute

The International Peace Institute is an independent, non-profit organization working to strengthen inclusive multilateralism for a more peaceful and sustainable planet. Through its research, convening, and strategic advising, IPI provides innovative recommendations for the United Nations System, member states, regional organizations, civil society, and the private sector. With staff from around the world and a broad range of academic fields, IPI has offices facing United Nations headquarters in New York.

About IPI Global Observatory

The Global Observatory provides timely analysis on trends and issues related to global security.

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