Protecting Civilians against Imminent Violence

Press Clip Source: Studium Generale Groningen
Written By: Robert C Koehler
Date: October 30, 2013
Read Original Article: Here

The 20th century saw a dramatic increase in civilian deaths due to violent conflicts and wars. Even today, violence against civilians remains unacceptably high in absolute terms.  Almost 70 years after the UN Charter promised to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”, more than two hundred wars have taken place, and mass atrocities continue to be perpetrated.  What can the international community do better to protect civilians, deter violence, and strengthen local peace infrastructures?  Questions will be raised about the mandate, strengths and limitations of the UN and the current and potential role of global civil society. An unexpected answer may lie in a new peace tool that has recently become available: organized unarmed civilian peacekeepers (UCP’s). What role can these UCP’s play in the many violent conflicts around the world? What role could they have played in passed conflicts such as in Sudan? And could it break the current impasse in Syria?

Mukesh Kapila and Tiffany Easthom will give brief presentations, followed by a discussion guided by Rolf Carriere.

This lecture is organized in co-operation with the Dutch United Nations Student Association SIB.