Experts Share Lessons In Safeguarding Children For UN Peacekeepers

UN peacekeepers are being given much needed training on how to safeguard children during their operations. Research into missions in Brazil, Liberia, Haiti, Uruguay, Argentina, and Ghana over the past five years underpins the course, which is launched today (15 March 2023) in New York.



Professor Rosa Freedman led the University of Reading contribution to this project. She said: “UN peacekeepers have a fundamental responsibility to safeguard all people affected by conflict. That makes it particularly egregious when the people who are supposed to be helping, are causing harm.



“After five years of research we have understood where the gaps in understanding are and how attitudes need to change. We have designed a course to bring knowledge and awareness of how to implement child safeguarding across all aspects of peacekeeping operations.”



The course, which has been developed by Keeping Children Safe and the University of Reading, provides an understanding of the responsibilities, relevant theory, and examples of good practices. This will help participants to better safeguard children from abuse and exploitation in the context of peacekeeping. It will be available in English and Spanish.