Twenty-three international students attended the NATO UN Protection of Civilians Course (POC), hosted by the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, from 11-29 August 2025.
The course, usually held bi-annually at the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre (FINCENT), on Santahamina island in Helsinki, was moved to the Academy due to a competing NATO defence exercise.
NATO-UN POC aims to explain the role, utility, and limitations of military force in protecting civilians from physical violence in contemporary armed conflict.
The delegates made up of civilians and defence personnel, representing a variety of organisations and nationalities were joined by expert mentors. Drawn from various international backgrounds, these mentors shared their own relevant operational experience gained from previous UN and NATO missions.
The course programme delivered to students in a flipped classroom approach, allowed them to learn new content at home while they spent class time for active learning, which included:
- virtual reality (VR)
- video lessons
- syndicate discussions
- scenario-based learning
- syndicate collaboration
Throughout the two weeks, students were encouraged to focus on critical thinking skills: to not accept what is presented to them as a given but to encourage deep thinking and actively scrutinise the military’s response to conflict.
The course was facilitated by Major Helen Bryan, Chief of Staff, Learning Development and Capability Group and Major Peter Chilvers, Human Security Manager, Defence Leadership and Business Group.
Speaking on her role in the course delivery, Maj Bryan said:
“It was great to have the course at Defence Academy, and to host our colleagues from FINCENT. I have experienced the course in Finland several times and I always find it a valuable learning experience, from both the other mentors and from the learners all of whom come with a diversity of skills and knowledge from around the world and different organisations.
Reflecting on her experience, student Karin Geertrui Helena Van Diest said:
"The models and scenario we worked through were not hypothetical - they mirrored the dilemmas militaries face in contemporary conflicts. The course helped us bridge the gap between academic models on protection of civilians and the dilemmas on the ground."
The Defence Academy of the United Kingdom were honoured to support the NATO UN Protection of Civilians Course in partnership with the Finnish Defence Forces. The course not only bridged theoretical frameworks with real-world dilemmas but also fostered critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. As the students return to their respective organisations, they carry with them valuable insights and practical tools to influence and improve civilian protection efforts in future missions.