About the Event
During UN Peace Operations Review Week, this high-level in-person event will bring together Force Commanders, Troop Contributing Countries, UN officials, legal experts, researchers and civil society to address one of the most pressing operational challenges in peacekeeping: the use of force and balancing Protection of Civilians mandates with force protection imperatives.
With an operational focus on tactical-level challenges, the event will examine:
- Rules of Engagement interpretation at the tactical level and its impact on the protection of civilians
- The operational reality when protection mandates collide with force protection concerns
• Mutually reinforcing effects of POC and safety and security, i.e. how protecting civilians protects peacekeepers
- Capability gaps in equipment, training, intelligence, and mobility that prevent effective PoC
- Integration challenges between civilian, military, and police components
- Cultural humility as a tool to support dialogue and engagement fostering a safe environment
- Possible changes needed at the level of policy and doctrine to enable proactive rather than reactive protection of civilians
- Unintended consequences including on the perceived impartiality of missions, civilian casualties and related mitigation efforts
- TCC perspectives on operational constraints, risk tolerance, and support requirements
- Practical solutions for improving mission effectiveness and safety and security of UN peacekeepers
Program Highlights
Opening Remarks: Ambassador Andreas Løvold, Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway to the UN
Opening Context: Operational Challenges and Reform Imperatives
• Lieutenant General Cheryl Pearce, Acting UN Military Adviser, UN DPO
Panel Discussion:
Use of Force: the PoC-Force Protection Nexus in Practice – Perspectives on Rules of Engagement, Risk, Protection, and Military Capability
• Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian, UNMISS Force Commander
• Major General Patrick Cammaert, former Force Commander, Military Adviser UN DPKO and UNMAH Head of Mission
• Major General Patrick Gauchat, UNTSO Head of Mission and UNDOF Acting Force Commander
• Mona Ali Khalil, Director MAK LAW International and former UN Senior Legal Officer
• Roger Hughes, UN peace operations training specialist and former UNMISS Deputy Chief U3 and JOC
Closing Remarks: Lessons Learned and Good Practices for the Way Forward
• David Haeri, Director Policy, Evaluation and Training Division, UN DPO
Moderator: Dr. Lotte Vermeij, Senior Expert on UN Peace Operations, NORCAP
Interactive Dialogue: From strategy to operations—making PoC work on the ground
Forward Look: Operational solutions including simplified ROE, capability requirements, integrated planning, and legal frameworks for future missions
Why Attend
• Operational focus: Real scenarios, tactical challenges, and practical solutions from field commanders
• Frank dialogue: Informal setting for honest discussion about operational failures and lessons learned
• Action-oriented: Generate concrete, implementable recommendations for improving operations
• Network: Connect with military commanders, TCCs, UN officials, and policymakers
Registration to this evens is no longer possible.
Contact: Dr Lotte Vermeij – Senior Expert UN Peace Operations, NORCAP Email: Lotte.Vermeij@norcap.nrc.no
