Final discussion
Photo: David Snyder
The following was refined as COMMON THEMES emerging from the past two days that can be used to influence the global protection agenda:
Reframing Protection
1. Prevention as priority focus of spectrum of activities: “stop it before it starts”
2. Responsibility to Protect (R2P) meets international legal regime (IHL; HR; refugee law)
a) ‘willing and able’
b) ‘willing and unable’
c) ‘unwilling and unable’
d) ‘unwilling and able’
e) ‘conditionally willing and able,’ for some populations but not others
3. Framing “prevention” as prevention of the compounding of protection issues rather than preventing causes of conflict, etc. (things that create need for protection)
Strategy
3. Language:
a) Use existing standards (and the language therein) and seek ways to better operationalize them.
e.g. 1 – not blanket endorsement of protection clusters but more precise language about what aspects of clusters are actually working and worthy of replication
b) Definition of protection = safety, dignity, human rights
4. Strengthen coordination, leverage, and linkage for increased effect: a ‘tactical arranged marriage’ [marriage of convenience approach rather than ‘romantic union’] – we don’t have to love each other; we need to find a way to collaborate, playing on mutual strengths to ensure/create protection outcomes we seek
5. Address ‘community engagement’ by learning from successful models of beneficiary engagement [i.e. no longer enough to say this is not always possible but need to see how others are actually managing it and doing so with success]
6. Improve planning and preparation (find and apply examples of good practice) related to:
a) micro planning: in early phases of emergency response, build into initial needs assessments and identification of potential/future protection threats and vulnerable populations and design responses
b) macro planning: how to anticipate events that could trigger protection issues (e.g. an upcoming election) and be proactive about response planning
7. How to engage with the military? Whether or not to engage, whether or not to put restrictions on their role in humanitarian assistance (and the associated protection issues)
The discussion then turned to how Catholic organizations can move forward with a common “voice” on issues of protection. Participants representing Catholic organizations and those working with non-Catholic entities raised the following points:
- Choose 2-3 priority areas of protection (risk reduction, local referrals, etc.) to focus on where we think Church can engage more effectively. In setting priorities, to look at what Vatican says, as well as Vatican representatives in NY or Geneva.
- There is a need to map other Catholic actors and what they are doing, especially those with capacity at international level, to bring in the broader Catholic community.
- Tap into and build on local church networks/capacities:
- Parishes or other local entities can be the early warning systems on issues such as violence against women, and have others within Church (with perceived power and credibility) be the ‘voice’ if this helps to shield those on the ground.
- Educated local partners (including parishes) and public about what Church’s mandate and activities (especially working with all faiths). Refer them to possible responses and to existing resources. Deepen engagement of individual Catholics in parishes to become more active and to give money for protection efforts: preaching on justice issues, tapping into sister parish relationships.
- A “faith voice” on protection – whether Catholic, ecumenical, or Muslim – would be a very powerful force. Start with areas where there is greater consensus/likelihood for success (child protection, violence against women). Element of this voice include:
- Facilitated conversations between Bishops and statements of principles from Conferences of Bishops around the world, serving as moral statements to remind people about their roles and duties as Catholic individuals.
- Catholic institutions coordinating in advance of major protection events in order to raise a common voice.
- Improve Catholic institutions’ engagement through Caritas Internationalis – magnifying work already being done by members, raising need for more concentration within CI, etc.