[12.02.13] Protection of Civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Exploring Options Beyond the Physical?
The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and the Norwegian Refugee Council have the pleasure of inviting you to a seminar:
Protection of Civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Exploring Options Beyond the Physical?
Three perspectives on the protection of civilians in the DRC will be presented in the course of this seminar. Based on her experience from the field in the DRC Olivia Kalis will give an overview of protection issues and solutions identified by communities in Eastern DRC. She will also highlight some of the concrete challenges of the international response as a whole and touch upon the role of humanitarian actors in protection work.
Randi Solhjell will share insights on the UN Mission to the DRC (MONUSCO) and the criticism it has received for its inability to protect civilians against violence.
Liam Mahony’s presentation will examine best practices across multiple conflict situations, drawing particularly on his recent research in the DRC. He will in particular oppose what his research suggests is a prevailing exaggerated faith in military strategies for civilian protection.
Program 9.30-12.30 :
-
Welcome and Introduction
Cedric de Coning, Head, Peacekeeping and SSR Research Group, NUPI
Marit Glad, Global Advocacy Advisor, NRC -
Reality check of the international community approach: a field perspective
Olivia Kalis, Protection and Advocacy Adviser DRC, NRC -
MONUSCO and the challenges of protection in the eastern DRC
Randi Solhjell, Research Fellow, NUPI
11-11.30: Coffee and tea
-
Unarmed approaches to the protection of civilians in conflict
Liam Mahony, Co-director, Fieldview Solutions