Defence Peace Operations Training Partnership

AN initiative to support the training and engagement for Australian and regional peacekeepers was launched this month through the Department of Defence, benefiting Australia and United Nations partners. 

Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the Peace Operations Training Environment Partnership was an innovative online learning platform, providing relevant, contemporary learning activities to support delivery of United Nations core and specialised training.

“The United Nations intervenes in environments which are often dangerous and volatile and it is critical that all peacekeepers are equipped with insights and training, developed through decades of operational experience,” Mr Chester said.

“This digital training will ensure those looking at undertaking peacekeeping will be able to do it in a time and location that is convenient to them — something of particular importance as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic — and will ensure they are appropriately equipped. 

“A significant feature of this online platform is that it offers our UN partners free access to an open training resource, which allows each contributing nation to tailor it for their own training requirements.

“I congratulate the Australian Defence Force Peace Operations Training Centre for coming up with this fantastic training resource.”

Australia has spent more than 70 years making a significant contribution to worldwide peacekeeping operations, with Australian military personnel, police and civilians contributing to more than 50 multinational peacekeeping operations. At present, 27 Australian Defence Force personnel are currently deployed on UN Missions.

Further information about Australia’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping can be found at: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/peacekeeping

Information about POTEP can be found at: https://potep.apacnet.org