Child Protection Advisers

17-21 November 2014

Entebbe/Uganda

In 1999, the UN Security Council recognized the importance of addressing child protection issues in the peace and security agenda and called upon United Nations Peacekeeping Missions to make child protection integral to their overall strategies.  Gradually, child protection concerns have been integrated in all aspects of civilian crisis management and functions that bring in child protection expertise have been introduced in most major international organizations.

The multiple track approach necessary to address the multiple distresses affecting children in armed conflicts give room for various operational activities from monitoring and reporting to delivery of essential livelihoods support to technical assistance. This course focusses on the political aspects of child protection work: mainstreaming, advocacy, mentoring and advising for the greater protection of children in war-affected societies.

Child protection advisers and experts require specific knowledge related to children’s specific protection needs as well as a comprehensive understanding of the mission as a whole and its other expert functions. They need to have a wide range of technical knowledge, including the understanding of how to advocate for enhanced child protection within the host community, how to plan and conduct trainings, and how to provide advice to the mission leadership in an efficient manner. To support the development of the child protection expert functions and to meet the training needs related to such responsibilities, the ASPR has developed together with the UN DPKO a new specialized course for civilian personnel focusing on child protection aspects in international crisis management.

 

Aim and objectives

The pilot Child Protection Adviser course provides specialized personnel with a responsibility to promote a child protection perspective in their organizations the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge and to strengthen their skills. The course builds on input from senior DPKO child protection advisers and current research on the topic. The main aim is to strengthen the child protection functions within international crisis management missions by providing the participants with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills deemed necessary to work effectively in child protection functions.

 

Target Group

Personnel working in international crisis management missions with a child protection mandate, such as DPKO child protection officers, human rights officers who act as child protection focal points, or other kinds of child protection experts. As this is a specialized course, applicants are expected to already have a thorough understanding of the child protection agenda in crisis management missions.


Implementing Partners

Lead implementing body:Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR), Austria.

Other implementing bodies: United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).

 

Date & Location

17-21 November 2014; Entebbe, Uganda.

 

Registration Fee

This course is free of charge. Board will be covered by ENTRi. Participants nominated by UN DPKO will have to cover the cost for their accommodation. All course participants will be responsible for covering their own travel to the course venue.

Please note that while ENTRi courses are primarily geared toward civilian personnel working in international crisis management missions, police and military candidates are welcome to apply. Please note that course participants from the military are required to cover their own expenses during the course, including accomodation, board, and travel costs.

 

Application

Please apply using the ENTRi database.

Please apply by 26 October 2014.

Applications received after the deadline will be considered only if slots are still available.The course organisers encourage early registration.