26/9 – Local Perceptions of Robust Protection of Civilians

Join us for a panel discussion exploring new research on what kind of protection of civilians (PoC) provided by peacekeepers that enjoy more local support than others. With a field perspective from South Sudan, we’ll discuss how local perception feedback can lead to better and more proactive PoC.

REGISTER HERE by 20 SEP WHEN: 26 September TIME: 13:00-14:30 CEST WHERE: Online/ Swedish Defence University, Stockholm Featured Speakers: • Linnéa Gelot, Senior Lecturer in War Studies at the Swedish Defence University (SEDU) • Lt Gen Mohan Subramanian, Force Commander, UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) • Regina Fitzpatrick, Protection of Civilian Team Leader, DPET, UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO) • Leben Moro, Director, Scientific and Cultural External Relations, University of Juba (TBC) • Prabin B. Khadka, Lecturer at the University of Essex. Host: Benoit Pylyser, Director Challenges Forum International Secretariat; Moderator: Susanna Ahlfors, Event & Communications Officer, Challenges Forum International Secretariat About the event: Robust use of force in the Protection of Civilians (PoC) has become a key feature of peace operations over the past decades. In their research brief, Linnéa Gelot, Senior Lecturer at the Swedish Defence University, and Prabin B. Khadka, Lecturer at the University of Essex, explore what forms of PoC provided by peacekeepers garners more local support than others, and recommend ways for a more proactive and people-centred approach when protecting civilians. Based on surveys with almost 3,000 civilians in South Sudan and Somalia, the research findings show that too much, and too little, use of force negatively impacts how local communities perceive mission performance. Acknowledging the significant improvements in PoC policy and practice, the researchers suggest several recommendations including pre-deployment training, including on people-centred community engagement, as well as using local perception studies to improve mission performance. Join us for an interesting discussion on how to translate these recommendations on local perceptions into action, to ensure more effective delivery on Protection of Civilians mandate in peace operations. The discussion will be livestreamed on social media. This hybrid event is jointly organised by the Challenges Forum, and the Swedish Defence University, and is sponsored by the Folke Bernadotte Academy, the Swedish government agency for peace, security and development.