Training of UN military observers is ongoing at the University

In Multinational Staff Officers Training and Research Centre (MSOTRC) "UN Military Observer" course is ongoing. The course includes theoretical and practical training of the participants according to the standards defined by the United Nations Department of Peace Operations (UN DPO).

The theoretical part of the course includes the study of issues necessary for understanding the responsibilities of a military observer in UN missions. For this purpose, during the course interactive methods and distance-learning programmes are used, and representatives of organizations, whose activities are relevant to the course topics, are invited to teach.

One of the priority topics identified by the UN DPO training program, is the protection of civilians in the conflict, which is currently being covered by Alexander Olifirov, representative of the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC).

For information: CIVIC is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Washington and founded in 2003 by Marla Ruzicka as a Campaign to support innocent victims of the conflict. CIVIC helps to improve the protection of civilians affected by conflict, engages other organizations to implement policies to reduce harm to civilians, and promotes assistance to civilians affected by conflict.

The CIVIC representative acquainted the course participants with the experience of CIVIC cooperation with international peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the UN (MINUSMA in Mali, MINUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MINUSCA in the Central African Republic and UNMISS in South Sudan), possible scenarios for ensuring the protection of civilians by peacekeepers in UN missions.

The practical part of the course will provide students with the opportunity to confirm the learned theoretical material and participate in practical exercises related to the duties of a UN military observer, according to relevant scenarios and conditions close to real.