Page 3 - Coespu 2019-1

FOREWORD

Addressing the longstanding protection issues is one of the main chal-
lenges of modern Peace Operations. Relevant international peace ac-
tors have been focusing on protection matters for years, particularly
since 1999 when the UN Security Council – in its Resolution 1265 –
concerned about the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. The re-
solution clarified that children, women, refugees and other vulnerable
groups need special attention, an attention that has to be detailed in
all peace mission mandates in accordance with international humani-
tarian, human rights and refugee laws.
On the year 2000, UNSCR 1325 “urged all actors to increase the par-
ticipation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all United
Nations peace and security efforts” and called “all conflict parties to
take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based
violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict”.
Several things have developed since then and, at time being, the protection of civilians is a priori-
ty mandate and a “whole-of-mission” activity (not only a military task) in all modern Peace Ope-
rations, pursuant to many other Security Council Resolutions. Peace operators have the authority
and the responsibility to provide protection when local Governments are unable or unwilling to
do it.
In recent years, other topics have been included in the “protection concept” of modern Peace
Operations, to guarantee their positive impact in crisis areas: Cultural heritage is a fundamental
asset that needs to be protected, as well as natural resources (as we analyzed in our Magazine
no. 4\2018).
The CoESPU, as an international Training Centre, Centre of Advanced Studies and Doctrinal
Hub in the field of Stability Policing, contributes to address protection issues offering its student
cutting edge courses and follow-ups. The “Protection of Civilian Course” (PoC), for instance, has
reached its 18th edition, and the “Gender Protection Course” (GP), its 9th. Brand new “Environ-
mental Protection” and “Cultural Heritage Protection” Courses are about to be launched in the
near future.
In this first issue of 2019 of the CoESPU Magazine, that you might appreciate in its renewed
graphic format, among other contributions, we provide an overview on UN doctrine and practi-
ces on Protection of Civilians with an outstanding piece written by Dimitry Titov (UN Rtd Assistant
Secretary-General for Rule of Law & Security Institutions). Prof. Andrea Margelletti (CeSI Presi-
dent) delivers an interesting point of view on “The key of success for Peacekeeping Operations”,
while Shelly Withman (Exe. Director of the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldier Initiative) offers a study
on the prevention of the recruitment and use of Child Soldiers.
In the section devoted to “Pre-deployment Training and Lessons Learned”, Tomoko Matsuzawa
(Japanese Human Rights Expert) talks about a “desirable pre-deployment training format”, useful
to provide peace operators with a proper mindset. Lotta Hagman (Integrated Training Service –
UN DPO) deepens the role of the Secretary-General in assisting Member states with appropriate
training standards and materials.
To go in depth in the protection issues, Desirée Pangerc (CIELS University Campus - Padua) of-
fers an interesting study on the importance of the anthropological training in the pre-deployment
phase, and doctor Perego goes into details of Malnutrition, Immune System and infection.
Wishing you a fruitful reading, please let my invite you all to interact with CoESPU Social Media
and to get in touch with the Magazine editorial staff to explore the chance, if you wish, to offer
written contributions to next numbers, becoming active members of our Stability Policing Com-
munity.
Giovanni Pietro BARBANO
Brigadier General
CoESPU Director