-- NEW E-LEARNING TRAINING TO PREVENT SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE IS LAUNCHED --
The United Nations Department of Field Support (DFS) announced today the launch of a new mandatory e-learning programme for all uniformed and civilian personnel to strengthen training on the standards of conduct, as well as the expectations of accountability and individual responsibility in matters of conduct and discipline, with a special focus on sexual exploitation and abuse.
The new online learning programme was developed with the generous funding of the Government of Japan. The training is currently being piloted at UN headquarters and to select uniformed and civilian peacekeeping mission staff. The rollout to all field missions, as well as all peacekeeping and field support personnel in Headquarters, will be completed by the end of 2016. The programme will be available for all Secretariat personnel in early 2017.
“The new e-learning programme is an important step in reinforcing our prevention efforts against misconduct by UN personnel,” said Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Atul Khare. “We are very grateful to the Government of Japan for funding this initiative, which is critical to our efforts to address sexual exploitation and abuse.”
Ambassador Koro Bessho, the Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN, stated, “This symbolizes our commitment to supporting the zero tolerance policy of the Secretary-General, and we are convinced that this programme will be an effective tool in combating sexual exploitation and abuse.”
The new programme complements the pre-deployment training that Member States are currently responsible for providing, and in situ training that uniformed and civilian personnel receive.
The self-paced programme uses scenarios based on case studies and short videos to educate and sensitize personnel. It includes short quizzes and a final assessment. The programme will track the number of personnel who take the training, while providing a new tool outside of the classroom setting. The programme will be translated into all UN official languages, as well as languages of troop and police contributing countries.
-- UN RECEIVES FIRST CONTRIBUTION TO THE TRUST FUND FOR VICTIMS ASSISTANCE –
The United Nations Department of Field Support (DFS) also announces that the Government of India provided $100,000 yesterday for the Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. This is the first contribution to the Trust Fund the Secretariat has received.
India has historically been one of the largest troop-contributing countries in peacekeeping operations and is currently ranked as the second largest contributor of military and police personnel.
“With this contribution, the Government of India has illustrated its strong commitment to our victim-centred approach in addressing sexual exploitation and abuse by UN civilian and uniformed personnel. We are extremely grateful for this contribution” said Under-Secretary-General Atul Khare.
The Secretariat requested voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund when it was established at the end of March and continues to seek funds to support services for victims and address gaps in services. In the most recent cross-cutting resolution of the General Assembly, A/RES/70/286, Member States also approved the transfer of withheld payments to the Trust Fund in substantiated cases of sexual exploitation and abuse by civilian, military and police personnel. Norway and Cyprus have pledged resources to the Trust Fund over the last few months.
The Department of Field Support acts as the Programme Manager of the Trust Fund. The contribution of India, the transfer of withheld payments and commitments from Norway and Cyprus will be utilized to develop a plan for use of the funds in this first year of the Trust Fund’s establishment.