Rule of Law Training Project
The Program’s key objective is to organize training courses and expert workshops in order to enhance the capacity of the judicial affairs officers in United Nations peacekeeping operations that assist post-conflict societies re-build and strengthen their judicial and legal systems. The training program is delivered jointly by ZIF and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). It is the first comprehensive training program specifically designed for United Nations personnel working in the justice sector. The Program is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office with an initial duration from October 2009 to December 2011.
What is the context?
As the United Nations Secretary-General stated in his 2004 "Report on the Rule of Law and Transitional Justice in Conflict and Post-conflict Societies" (download here), strengthening the rule of law is a key element of post-conflict peacebuilding. There are currently nine United Nations peacekeeping operations with over 200 judicial affairs officers mandated to assist national actors in re-establishing and/or strengthening their local legal and judicial systems. In order to carry out such mandates, DPKO judicial affairs officers must possess highly specialized technical knowledge and excellent diplomatic skills to be able to work in challenging contexts and promote international norms and standards effectively and sustainably.
What do we do?
ZIF and DPKO jointly organize six-day rule of law training courses two times per year in the proximity of existing peacekeeping operations. The courses are based on a comprehensive instructor’s manual which was developed by DPKO with the support of the Government of Canada. Expert workshops on rule of law issues of relevance to post-conflict societies bring together training facilities, trainers and rule of law experts and provide opportunities to exchange best practices and build synergies between various international rule of law assistance efforts.
What is our contribution to rule of law promotion?
Besides strengthening the professional competencies of United Nations judicial affairs officers, the Program also helps to foster the analytical and operational capacities of the training facilities in developing countries where the courses and workshops are held. In addition, a limited number of lawyers and other relevant professionals from developing and conflict countries participate in the training courses as possible future providers of international rule of law assistance. With practice-oriented expert workshops and analysis products, the Program also contributes to a better understanding and more sustainable implementation of international rule of law assistance efforts.
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