Foreign servicemen came to
Kazakhstan to study the principles of civilian protection. An international United
Nations (UN) certified course was launched at the Peacekeeping Operations Center
of the Kazakh Defense Ministry. Military personnel from Iran, China, Russia,
Saudi Arabia, France, the Czech Republic, Japan, along with Kazakhstan’s law
enforcement agencies, will study the concept of missions of the international organization,
as well as the rights and duties of peacekeepers in protecting the population.
The course is conducted jointly by the center’s instructors and representatives
of the UN Office in Kazakhstan.
“The two-week course is
structured into two blocks. The first block is an introduction to UN
peacekeeping, while the second one is specifically designed to examine the
protection of civilians in UN peacekeeping missions. The course is aimed at acquainting
military, civilian, and police personnel with UN policies on safeguarding civilians,”
informed Arman Tastanbekov, major and instructor at the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping
Operations Center.
“All course materials are
developed and approved by the Integrated Training Service of the UN Department
of Peacekeeping Operations. The course is required for candidates planning to
participate in UN missions with a civilian protection mandate. The classes include
a combination of presentations, videos, group discussions, and military
training scenarios,” said Mirzhan Yeleussinov, captain and instructor at the
Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Operations Center.
Based on this, teams address
challenges and present solutions at plenary sessions. According to the instructors,
the course will help peacekeepers to effectively protect civilians. Upon
completion of the course, the trainees will receive UN certificates.
