If COVID-19 has shown us one thing, it is that crisis can hit at any time, in any place.
Being prepared is key. Each year, the UN Operations and Crisis Centre (UNOCC), in cooperation with the Norwegian Defence International Centre (NODEFIC), holds a Field Crisis Management course to train mid- and senior-level personnel involved in crisis management in field missions.
This year, COVID-19 required a flexible approach. The theoretical part of the course was delivered online via MS Teams.
Looking for opportunity in crisis, the virtual format was identified as a chance to broaden participation.
In addition to connecting 36 students (44% were women) from 18 peacekeeping and special political missions, this year more than 20 additional guests were able to follow the lectures and access the course material.
¡°The level of participation and contributions from participants were outstanding and helped all of us to draw important lessons in preparing for future crises,¡± said Ian Sinclair, Director of UNOCC, and course mentor.
More attendees were able to review existing crisis management policy and discuss best practices on mission-level crisis management activities.
The course¡¯s ¡®train the trainers¡¯ approach will enable participants to pass on this knowledge to other colleagues in their respective missions.
Attendees praised the structure of the online format and the quality of instructors, who were from DPO, DSS, DOS, and included the Deputy Head of UNIFIL and the DSRSG/RC/HC in the DRC.
They provided sessions on authority, command and control in UN peacekeeping missions and on crisis simulation exercises, provided a holistic overview of crisis management.
We hope students will be able to complete the course with a second, in-person part in 2021, depending on the evolution of COVID-19.
UNOCC provides senior leaders at UN Headquarters in New York with 24/7 situational awareness, situational analysis, and crisis response support.
