Overview and background

• The course lasts one week,
• The course is taught in French and English,
• The course is open to military, civilian and police personnel of both sexes.

Course objectives

The Child Rights and Protection course aims to promote, among peace support operation (PSO) personnel, practices that respect children's dignity, and to strengthen their role in protecting children during the mission.

Content: modules, topics and activities

The curriculum comprises nine modules. Modules should be seen as thematic areas; sessions allow the course to be divided into time slots:

Understanding early childhood and child development

Module B: The changing nature of conflict and the effects of armed conflict on children

Module C: The child rights-based approach and child protection in practice

Module D: Legal instruments protecting children in situations of armed conflict

Module E: Communicating with a child, their family and community – first contact and communication techniques

Module F: The roles of the different components of a multidimensional PSO in relation to children

Module G: Code of conduct and rules of engagement regarding relations with children

Module H: Communication and collaboration with other actors involved in child protection

Monitoring and reporting on the situation of children in armed conflict

Eligibility requirements

• Be medically fit to attend the entire course;
• Be interested in peace support missions;
• Have a good command of French or English;
• Be likely to hold a post in a peace support operation in Africa.

How to register

Applications are made online, using this activity's form, between the opening date and the deadline (11:59 pm, Bamako time). An acknowledgement of receipt is sent by email.

Required documents

• the online application form, fully completed;
• a curriculum vitae (PDF or Word);
• the number of the Moodle certificate “Introduction to the Core Knowledge of Peace Operations”, when the form asks for it.