On 19 May 2025, Creating Safer Space co-investigator Nerve Macaspac participated in an event on “Civilian-Centred Approaches and POC in a Changing World: Moving from Policy to Practice”. This side event of the United Nations’ Protection of Civilians (POC) week in New York was co-organised by Nonviolent Peaceforce, CIVIC, PAX, Creating Safer Space, HPG/ODI, UNHCR, the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the UN and the Permanent Missions of the Netherlands, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Panama, and Austria.
As the final report of the event summarises (p. 1): “The presentations and reflections shared during the event underscored the growing urgency (and potential) of civilian-centred approaches to protection in today’s evolving conflict contexts. In light of shrinking humanitarian space, overstretched multilateral operations and the withdrawal of key international actors from high-risk areas, panellists and participants highlighted how civilians themselves are not only responding to immediate threats but also shaping the longer-term architecture of protection. The discussion explored how UN peace operations, regional organisations and Member States can more meaningfully partner with civil society actors who are actively building early warning systems, engaging with armed actors and influencing protection policies. Drawing on diverse experiences from Yemen, DRC and Iraq, the conversation moved beyond policy recognition of the need to protect towards considering what concrete shifts – financial, political and structural – are needed to embed community-led protection in operational practice.”
Dr Macaspac joined speakers from the Permanent Mission of the Netherlands, Nonviolent Peaceforce, PAX, and CIVIC. Synthesising the discussion, and drawing on findings from the CSS projects, he noted that while ‘protection of civilians’ is a frequent topic in global forums, those most directly engaged in self-protection are often excluded from the conversation. He highlighted the consistent thread across diverse contexts: civilians are already leading protection work within their communities, using creative and effective strategies grounded in trust, legitimacy and local knowledge. He therefore urged a reconceptualisation of what counts as ‘protection work’, recognising its multifaceted nature and the value of flexibility, community-specific tools, and ongoing engagement with CSOs. His concluding point was clear: community-led POC is not a complement to existing frameworks; it should be the standard, precisely because it works, and because it is already happening.
For a full summary of the session, see this final report written by Nonviolent Peaceforce.