The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and DanChurchAid are pleased to announce the international seminar:
PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS – LEARNING FROM DARFUR
September 10 – 11, 2007 in Copenhagen
Protection of civilians is one of the greatest challenges of our times. The rising levels of attacks on civilians, including women and children are in direct contravention with international law and the international commitment to the protection of civilians.
The Geneva Conventions, Security Council Resolutions, and regular reports by the Secretary-General and the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, The UN Global Summit Declaration from 2005 are all very clear on the responsibility to protect civilians in conflict situations. Still, the challenge remains on how to effectively operationalise protection on the ground.
The seminar will discuss protection of civilians by using the case of Darfur as a learning experience. Since 2003 protection of civilians from targeted attacks, murder, rape and looting has been a key challenge in Darfur.
To meet this challenge local and international humanitarian, political and military actors have employed various strategies. When assessing Darfurs current situation it must be concluded that despite achieving some positive results, the majority of protection efforts have had disappointing outcomes.
Based on an examination of practical experiences with protection of civilians the seminar will focus on the following aims:
Clarify roles, responsibilities, mandates and capacities of humanitarian, political and military actors in protection work; discuss obstacles, weaknesses and strengths and come up with recommendations on strengthening implementation of protection measures, improve cooperation between actors and strengthen protection strategies.
The Danish Minister for Development Cooperation will open the seminar. Among the panellists invited are Dennis McNamara (OCHA, Special Advisor to the ERC), Torben Brylle (EU Special Representative to Sudan), Hugo Slim (Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue) (moderator), Adam Mudawi (SUDO), Sorcha O’Callahan & Sara Pantuliano (HPG/ODI) along with experienced protection practitioners from UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs active in Darfur.
A detailed programme will be circulated by early August.
September 10 will be an open debate among the invited panellists with space for some 150 participants. September 11 will be a closed session for panellists and invited facilitators. Formal invitations, program information and registration forms will be send in August.
For pre-registration please send an e-mail to [email protected]
For further information about the seminar you can contact The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Department for Humanitarian Assistance and NGO Cooperation, Mette Strand Gjerløff at +45 33921440, [email protected] or DanChurchAid, Malene Haakonsson at +4533152800, [email protected]
Programme Outline
Monday 10 September (Open seminar for approximately 150 participants)
Welcome and introduction of moderator and panellists
International initiatives & political realities of promoting the responsibility to protect civilians – overview presented by leading humanitarian officials
Introduction to the Darfur case
Panel debate: Experiences from Darfur – Protection of Civilians by humanitarian actors
Lunch break
Panel debate: Experiences from Darfur – the role of AMIS/UNMIS, police and military
Concluding debate: Protection – lessons for future operations
Dinner for panellists followed by public event on Darfur
Tuesday 11 September (Closed session for approximately 12 – 15 participants)
Reflection on previous days debate, outlining and refining general lessons and recommendations for protection of civilians in future operations as well as outlining follow up and possible future initiatives.
