They must be able to protect themselves so that they can protect others

In December 2023, Hungary made a pledge at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial to organize another course besides the highly successful and long-running International Military Observer Course (IMOC), and to host this new course to support the UN’s participation in global peace processes and its efforts aimed at peace-making and peacekeeping. This was how the “training of trainers”-type course entitled “UN Force Protection for Military and Police Units” was established. On 7 October, trainers from 12 nations, including Hungary, attended the opening of the course in Szolnok. The two-week course, whose target audience is the trainers of the Blue Helmets, is focused primarily on the tactical aspects of service in missions abroad, but will also provide information on the relevant legal aspects. The main objectives are to facilitate the identification of threats in the operational environment such as IEDs and/or terrorist groups, and mitigate the risks. Since pre-deployment training is a task that basically belongs to the individual nations’ area of responsibility, the member states were allowed to nominate the instructors who can attend this unique course.

Speaking at the opening event, Colonel Ferenc Schleisz, Acting Deputy Commander, HDF Force Modernization and Transformation Command welcomed the 20 or so course participants. He reminded them of the essential role played by professionally trained peacekeeping personnel in preserving international peace and security in the face of new challenges. Course Director Rafael Barbieri, a representative of the Integrated Training Service (ITS) of the UN Department of Peace Operations pointed out Hungary’s exemplary contribution to the peacekeeping activity of the international organization, while referring to, among others, the national and international training courses of the HDF Military Training Centre as well as Hungary’s significant engagement in foreign missions. “One of the most important tasks is to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers. If they are unable to protect themselves, they will probably be unable, or at least less able, to protect the civilian population living in the area of operations. Therefore, they must be able to protect themselves so that they can protect others” – emphasized Mr. Barbieri.