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Rule of Law Training Programme for Judicial Affairs Officers held in Ghana
The fourth Rule of Law Training Programme for Judicial Affairs Officers in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations took place in October 2011 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana. The six-day training course, jointly organized by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the German governmental organization, Centre for International Peace Operations (ZIF), was attended by twenty-six participants, including judicial affairs officers from nine DPKO operations and six from special political missions led by the Department ofr Political Affairs.
The training modules included international law, domestic justice systems, transitional justice, gender justice and legislative reform. The participants discussed the latest developments and challenges in justice sector work in post-conflict situations.
Key opening remarks were made by the Ambassador of Germany in Ghana, Mr. Eberhard Schanze, who was joined by the Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, Brigadier Owusu-Ababio, in welcoming participants. Noting that the 3rd of October is German Reunification Day, the Ambassador drew attention to that fact that justice and the rule of law are integral to lasting peace and stability.
Other participants joined from the DPKO Justice and Corrections Standing Capacity, African Union and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). Representatives of Canada, France, Germany and the United States also attended as observers. Reflecting the wide spectrum of rule of law experience within the United Nations, instructors came from various United Nations entities such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Office of Legal Affairs, the Rule of Law Unit, United Nations Children's Fund and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in addition to senior Judicial Affairs officers from DPKO missions in Haiti, Côte d’Ivoire and South Sudan.
A comprehensive instructor’s manual was developed for the training which covers different topics and includes talking points, exercises, charts, background information and slides. Valuable inputs on the instructor’s manual were received from colleagues in the field as well as United Nations entities working on rule of law issues. With the support of the Government of Canada, DPKO will soon produce a Handbook for Judicial Affairs Officers which complements the instructor’s manual and will serve as a “text book” for course participants and ensure the long-term impact of the training programme.
Approximately 200 Judicial Affairs officers are authorized for deployment in 14 United Nations peace operations to assist host countries in strengthening their legal and judicial systems.