Training specialists for Peace Support Operations: Curricula development, deployment of subject matter experts, and contribution of technical assistance in applied research for the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC)

 
Today, many Peace Support Operations led by the AU and/or the UN have unfolded throughout the East African region in such countries as South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Each of these countries is burdened with exhaustion and public insecurity brought about by long years of civil war, and all face extreme challenges. For those who operate in the front line, it is essential to gain updated specialized knowledge concerning peace development and conflict prevention along with advanced practical expertise. Additionally, a variety of specialists in wide-ranging areas are needed, such asSecurity Sector Reform, Protection of Civilians, Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Sexual and Gender Based Violence. Under these circumstances, the IPSTC needs attentive support in order to provide training courses to accommodate for the diverse needs of the region, as well as to became a core training support center in the East African region.

1. Enhance institutional capacity for applied research, conflict analysis, training design that address regional PSO needs as well as peace and security policy development in Eastern Africa at the regional and state levels. Additionally, they apply insight obtained by Japanese researchers and utilize Japan’s competent experts.
2. Improve regional multinational and multidimentional PSO capability of military, police and civilian personnel to address the evolving peace and security situations.
3. Engance regional capacity of civilian experts for peacekeeping mission and peace building elements of the East African Standby Force (EASF) and African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).

 
Initiated in 2010, this project’s objective has been to support training programs offered to military, police, and civilian forces involved in Peace Keeping Operations (PKO), the African Union (AU), local governments, NGOs, etc. In 2013, the third phase of this project was launched. In this ongoing third phase, the project has been commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to continue curricula design and deployment of subject matter experts for training courses specifically addressing South Sudan’s needs. During the second phase in 2012, technical support was given to plan and implement four training courses including Rule of Law, Security Sector Reform, Operational Management of Prison, and Human Rights. In a course given in May 2012, 24 individuals from the police, the Department of Justice, Prisons, Human Rights Committees, Law Firms, and the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) participated to study state structures, legislative systems, and judiciary systems. Additionally, a specialist in disaster management from Japan’s Ministry of Defense was dispatched for the first time as a subject matter expert for IPSTC during this second phase. In the third phase, we will continue to support the IPSTC by utilizing Japan’s knowledge to its fullest effect. We also have plans to collaborate with a local think-tank in Somalia to conduct a field-based research pertaining to peace and security.

The main goal of this project is to strengthen institutional and human capacity in Peace Support Operations in order to effectively prevent, respond to and mitigate conflict and maintain peace and security in the region.

Promoted by the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)