Workshop with international police forces at the ZIF
The Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF) welcomed police officers from UN missions and national police authorities to an intensive workshop in Berlin. The event was organized in close cooperation with the United Nations Department of Peace Operations and focused on defining criteria for success for the joint deployment of UN police forces and their national colleagues in three key areas of mandate:
- Public safety and protection of civilians
- Restoration and extension of state authority
- Institutional development and capacity building
The workshop brought together participants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan, along with their police colleagues from the respective UN missions. Over the course of the three-day workshop, the 20 participants developed concrete measures to measure and further develop the success of the UN police forces and their national partners.
“The open and constructive atmosphere of the workshop was particularly valuable, as many of the national police colleagues were traveling outside their home countries for the first time. The direct exchange and close cooperation not only strengthened our joint work, but also deepened our understanding of the challenges in the respective areas of operation,” says Dr. Annika Hansen, deputy head of the ZIF Policy, Partnerships & Innovation team.
Concrete steps for the success of the missions
A key outcome of the workshop was the development of concrete next steps, which will now be pursued in the respective missions and national police authorities. The participants worked together to develop indicators for measuring success and identified relevant data sources, both within their respective countries and across borders.
The workshop showed that the success of UN police forces and their national partners is closely linked. Exchange and joint learning are therefore crucial for the further development of peace operations and for ensuring lasting security and stability in the regions concerned.
Cultural exchange and further cooperation
In addition to the technical discussions, there was also plenty of opportunity for cultural exchange. The visit to Berlin gave participants the chance to network outside of the workshop sessions and explore the city. These informal conversations helped to deepen cooperation and promoted the exchange of experiences and best practices.
A strong commitment to an effective UN
For the ZIF, a strong commitment to an effective UN remains of central importance for ensuring global security. The workshop also underscored once again the importance of continuous cooperation with international partners.