Beyond Boots on the Ground: Rethinking Protection of Civilians in a Shifting Global Contex

On 13 May 2025 the Challenges Forum, together with the Centre for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) hosted a roundtable discussion focusing on how to protect civilians where there are limited, or no peacekeepers on the ground. The session was part of the 2025 Stockholm Forum for Peace and Development, hosted by SIPRI and co-convened by the FBA and Sida.

Research shows that the presence of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations correlates with a decrease in civilian casualties. However, trends for future missions indicate a shift towards more limited mandates, and increased reliance on Special Political Missions, and the UN Resident Coordinator system.

Protection of Civilians (PoC) should remain a vital peace and security endeavour but must also adapt to emerging threats and new realities. Beyond physical protection (“boots on the ground”), PoC also entails political dialogue, dedicated PoC policies and creating a protective environment, including supportin local and national PoC capacities.

The roundtable aimed to draw on the experiences from leaders in Haiti, Iraq, Ukraine and Mali, to distinguish how the UN system and civil society could provide tailored support to national and local authorities. Read the key takeaways below!