United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial: Innovation in Training and Capacity Building

November 15, 2017 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

More than 500 delegates from 84 countries and international organizations are gathering in Vancouver for the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial to discuss the following themes:

• Innovation in Training and Capacity Building
• Smart Pledges
• Protecting Those at Risk
• Early Warning and Rapid Deployment

Innovation in Training and Capacity Building

Innovation in training and capacity building can lead to better peacekeeping operations through initiatives that teach military skills and develop institutional capabilities for local security forces.

A preparatory meeting was held in Tokyo, Japan on August 23-25 to prepare insights and potential deliverables and pledges related to Innovation in Training and Capacity Building for the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial. Military, police and civilian personnel of 32 Member States and international organizations attended the meeting.

The Innovation in Training and Capacity Building discussions at the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial aim to:

1. Generate new pledges in training and capacity building

The UN has identified the need for training and capacity building pledges that address specific mission needs. The aim is to address these capability gaps and provide solutions, including through announcements of related pledges where applicable.

2. Create partnership arrangements to close UN capability gaps

New partnership arrangements and innovative approaches ensure the demands of troop/police contributing countries are met. This applies especially to field-based needs such as training related to medical care, aero-medical evacuation, or counter-improvised explosive devices (IED).

3. Address gender perspectives

Addressing gender perspective includes examining how Member States and the UN can better confront the challenges of empowering women in peacekeeping roles. This theme also includes addressing barriers to the development and deployment of qualified women peacekeepers and peacekeeping instructors, as well as mechanisms to overcome these.

4. Address policing

Addressing policing involves strengthening pre-deployment training for UN police. During the Conference, Member States will have the opportunity to announce new commitments to improve and increase cooperation among civilian, military, and police force mentors and trainers.

5. Reflect on operating in francophone environments

UN troops must effectively communicate with local populations and governments in settings where French is an official or commonly-used language. Accordingly, this theme includes training and capacity building initiatives to increase the participation of francophone actors in UN peacekeeping operations.

Related Products

• News release
  
• Backgrounder on Smart Pledges
• Backgrounder on Protecting Those at Risk
• Backgrounder on Early Warning and Rapid Deployment
• Backgrounder on 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial and Canada’s Defence Policy

Associated Links

2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial conference

Contacts

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Department of National Defence
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Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca