Potential leaders of UN peacekeeping operations and Member States representatives have spent the past two weeks in Vienna learning about the roles and responsibilities of senior leaders, and how to better understand the multidimensional nature of UN peacekeeping operations.
This year's Senior Mission Leaders Course brought together participants from the civilian, military and police components of peacekeeping missions. It comes at a time when the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Department of Field Support (DFS) are engaged in a forward-looking analysis on UN peacekeeping. [ UN Peacekeeping Operations web site ]
Through the initiative called the "New Horizon" project, DPKO and DFS are seeking concrete options for improving the management and delivery of UN peacekeeping into the future.
"It is our goal to ensure that the Organization is ready with a pool of qualified and prepared candidates, especially with the increasing demand for new and expanded peacekeeping operations," said Izumi Nakamitsu, Director of DPKO's Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET).
The Vienna course from 4-15 May was organized by DPET's Integrated Training Service in collaboration with the Government of Austria. Designed to use an active learning methodology, the course is delivered by using a presentation on a module topic, followed by plenary discussions, a question and answer session, and a break-out group discussion of a case study. Presenters and facilitators include representatives from Headquarters, peacekeeping operations, DPKO and DFS.
The Senior Mission Leaders Course was established in response to the Brahimi Report on Peacekeeping Operations' request to develop standard peacekeeping training guidance and materials. The 10-day programme is conducted by DPKO in cooperation with a host Member State.
Initially designed exclusively for senior military leaders, the programme was later expanded to include all civilian and police components. Participants from several Member States have subsequently been appointed to leadership positions in peacekeeping operations.
The Vienna course was the 10th since the programme started in 2005. Past courses were held in various locations including Africa, Asia and Latin America.
(Text and Photos DPKO New York)
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