International Peace Support Training Centre

The 28th IAPTC Annual Conference concludes today. Watch as Brigadier Joyce Sitienei delivers her final address and formally hands over the presidency. https://t.co/kgQvHiNavI

The International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) has launched an intensive eight-day National Mine Action Development Training, inaugurated by Col. J. Rongoei, Commandant of the Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS). The course brings together participants from six countries, highlighting a shared commitment to addressing the threats posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance. This collaborative training aims to equip participants with key skills in mine risk assessment, clearance operations, policy development, and community outreach. Combining theoretical learning with hands-on practice, the course prepares participants to build, manage, and sustain effective mine action programs. The opening concluded with a symbolic tree-planting ceremony, underscoring IPSTC and GICHD’s commitment to safer, more sustainable communities. Notable attendees at the opening included Madam Radwa Rabie, Program Manager; Mr. Phillip Jowett, Lead Facilitator; and Lt. Col. (Retd.) Joseph Maritim, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) Focal Point for East Africa.

Ms. Margaret Cheptile IPSTC Head of Curriculum Design and Mr. Daniel Wathome IPSTC Gender Focal Point led a breakout session at the 28th IAPTC focused on enhancing inclusivity in training to promote women’s participation in PSO. During this session, representatives from member states and training institutions shared their experiences, highlighting progress made, challenges faced, and valuable lessons learned.

Day 1 of the 28th IAPTC Conference at CIPS in Islamabad, Pakistan, saw the Director IPSTC Brigadier Joyce Sitienei lead a plenary session titled "Training Imperatives for Women's Meaningful Participation at All Levels." The session featured a distinguished panel, including Commander Tyson Nicholas from UN Women, New York, Mr. Christian Saunders, Special Coordinator for Improving UN Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, former Pakistan Representative to the UN, Ms. Najla Nassif Palma, UN Victims' Rights Advocate, and Lt. Col. Saimoon Nahar, an instructor at Bangaladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training (BIPSOT) . During the discussion, participants underscored the critical need for stakeholders in peace and security to address gender disparity in peace support operations. They emphasized that gender considerations must be integrated into education, training, and research opportunities.

The 28th IAPTC Conference officially kicked off today Monday 4 November 2024 at the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) in Islamabad Pakistan. The Conference is themed "Adaptive Training Strategies for Evolving Peace Operations " and the opening ceremony was presided over by the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan General Asim Munir. Other dignitaries present were Mr Jean Pierre Lacroix, the Under Secretary General for United Nations Peace Operations, Ms Amna Baloch, Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Pakistan Representative to the UN Mr Munir Akram, Major General Retired Raja Aftab Khan, Director CIPS and Brigadier Joyce Sitienei President of the IAPTC and the Director IPSTC. In her opening remarks, Brigadier Joyce Sitienei urged Peace Support Training Centres, both regionally and globally, to collaborate and harness their unique strengths through partnerships in research, education, and training. She emphasized the need for peace support operations training to adopt modern pedagogical practices, enabling a more effective response to evolving security challenges. Speakers during the launch thanked the IAPTC EXCOM for working together to roll out a seamless Conference happening for the first time in Pakistan.

A delegation from the Africa Standby Force (ASF) visited the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) during their 16th annual training implementation workshop, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Africa Union Peace and Security Division Ally Said Nyawigu. The delegation engaged in focused discussions on the effectiveness of training centers and standby forces in meeting ASF standards. In his remarks, on behalf of the Director IPSTC, Colonel Charles Aritho, the Colonel Plans and Programmes IPSTC, emphasized the importance of collaboration in enhancing peace support operations across Africa. Thereafter there was an open discussion session where members exchanged insights and best practices. The gathering concluded with a group photo, capturing a moment of unity and shared purpose among the ASF members as they continue their mission to strengthen Africa's peace and security framework.

The African Union's Gender in Peace Support Operations training is currently underway in Lusaka, Zambia. The training focuses on providing standardized guidance for mission personnel on effectively integrating gender considerations into peace operations. IPSTC is represented by Mr Daniel Wathome, the IPSTC Gender Focal Point. The training aims to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills to mainstream gender throughout the lifecycle of peace support operations, from planning and deployment to sustaining and concluding missions. A critical component of the training will be identifying potential challenges in implementing gender strategies and developing measures to overcome these obstacles. The training emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to enhance the effectiveness of peace support operations. By fostering collaboration and understanding among diverse stakeholders, the initiative seeks to promote gender equality and improve outcomes in peacekeeping missions across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The International Peace Institute (IPI) hosted the Gender and Peace Operations Research Conference on October 22, 2024, at its headquarters in New York. This significant event brought together experts and practitioners to explore the intersection of gender issues and peace operations, aiming to enhance the understanding and implementation of gender-responsive strategies in conflict settings. Among the key contributors were Dr. Emily Okuto, a senior researcher at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), and Daniel Wathome, the Gender Focal Point at IPSTC. Dr. Okuto attended the conference in person, presenting her research on the impact of gender dynamics in peacekeeping efforts. Meanwhile,Daniel Wathome participated virtually, contributing insights and discussing his findings on best practices for integrating gender perspectives into peace operations. The conference underscored the importance of gender mainstreaming in peace efforts, highlighting the need for ongoing research and collaboration among stakeholders. With a diverse audience of practitioners, policymakers, and academics, the event aimed to foster dialogue and drive progress in creating inclusive frameworks for peace support operations worldwide.

The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) will host a critical workshop at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) in Nairobi Karen, aimed at reviewing the African Union's Military Experts on Mission (AUMEOM) syllabus and applied methodologies. With a focus on enhancing the capacity of military experts for peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions, this workshop will gather key stakeholders to ensure the updated syllabus aligns with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and effectively addresses the challenges faced in operational contexts. Participants will collaborate to draft a revised AUMEOM syllabus, which will serve as a comprehensive handbook for EASF member states. This document will guide the planning, coordination, and execution of AUMEOM courses, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of military deployments in the region and beyond. A total of 18 experts are expected to take part in this vital initiative, underscoring the commitment to fostering regional stability through enhanced training.

The International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), in partnership with UN Women, hosted the National Conference for Women in the Security Sector, bringing together participants from various security agencies. The conference focused on enhancing women’s participation in Peace Support Operations and addressing gaps in the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. The event was officially opened by Hon. Soipan R. Tuya, EGH, CS Ministry of Defence, who congratulated Brigadier J C Sitienei for his leadership at IPSTC. She emphasized the importance of women being equal partners in security and peacebuilding efforts, highlighting that a more responsive security sector requires greater female participation and voices at all levels. UN Women Kenya Representative Ms. Anna Mutavati also addressed the attendees, expressing the significance of advancing the WPS agenda. She underscored the need for policies that support women's leadership in security roles and thanked IPSTC for its commitment to hosting the event, which promotes inclusivity and collaboration in addressing security challenges. Throughout the conference, participants engaged in plenary reflections led by women officers from various security sectors. Presentations included topics on women’s leadership in AU/UN peace operations, the All-Female SWAT Team of the National Police Service, and gender-responsive programming within Kenya’s correctional settings. The discussions culminated in a call to action for enhancing women's roles in security and promoting ongoing recruitment initiatives. The conference marked a significant step toward empowering women in a traditionally male-dominated field, fostering an environment where their contributions are recognized and valued in national security efforts