TfP/ACCORD attends a 12th High Level Civilian, Police and Military (CPM 12) Relations Course
24 Mar 2014
The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD (TfP/ACCORD), participated in a high level 12th Civilian, Police and Military Relations (CPM 12) course hosted by the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Unit (CoESPU), along with its partners, the United States Department of State and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN DPKO). The high level CPM 12 course aimed to utilize the UN Standard Training Modules as well as UN DPKO guidelines which provided cross sector training for senior personnel from police, military and civilian components, who might take part in Peace Support Operations (PSO). This training aimed to increase the mutual knowledge, finalize and share coordination mechanisms, as well as enhance the ability of collaboration among the different elements and actors taking part in PSO, with particular regard to deployments in non-stabilised areas.
The course was held from 20 January to 14 February 2014 in Vicenza, Italy, which was attended by participants drawn from the civilian, police and military components. Participants came from Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Nepal, Nigeria, Romania, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, Togo, and Ukraine. TfP/ACCORD was presented by Ms Barbara Mohale, Programme Officer Peacekeeping Unit.
The CPM 12 course focused on different thematic areas ranging from International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Human Rights Law (IHRL), PSOs, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), respect for diversity to security challenges, the European Union (EU), gender equality, how to work with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), negotiation and mediation, gender equality aspects, to name a few, which abetted in developing greater understanding of multidimensional peace operations.
The outcome of the course increased participants knowledge of the different PSO components operating in a mission area, along with their working procedures and best practices; developed participants ability to identify differing basic IHL and IHRL rules and standards of behaviour and the ability to apply these correctly; provided participants with tools and methods to properly deal with cultural distinctions and other sorts of diversity in a mission environment. In addition, participants studied integrated operational procedures and doctrinal concepts necessary for peacekeeping staff; analysed the implications of the Security Gap in PSOs, developing mechanisms for integrated responses as well as mutually supportive participation by police, military and civilian components; developed the skills necessary to take part at managerial level in a multifunctional peacekeeping operation; and developed a general knowledge of stabilization and reconstruction processes. The course also involved a practical aspect known as the CARANA Exercise which consisted of a series of scenarios that presented characteristics of a real peacekeeping mission. The exercise required the implementation of a mandate which encompassed tasks that has to do primarily with the Protection of Civilians (PoC). The added value of the exercise were the scenarios that featured realistic situations of which participants had to not only focus on PoC but also familiarise themselves with UN documents used in missions in addition, find common ground, and be able to coordinate effectively and efficiently.
This is in line with the TfP Programme’s strategic goal for improved and sustainable capacity for peace operations on the continent, through ensuring that functional organizational systems are in place in the UN, AU and RECs using relevant policy frameworks mandated by the UN, AU and RECs.
The TfP Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For more information on ACCORD's work through the TfP programme, please contact Ms. Seun Abiola, Peacekeeping Unit Coordinator on Seun@accord.org.za and Ms. Barbara Mohale, Peacekeeping Unit Programme Officer on Barbara@accord.org.za


