Peacekeeping Education

A CURRICULUM MODEL FOR CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION ON PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS IN AFRICA AUTHORS: Dr KJ De Beer (CUT) and Dr PJ De Montfort (SANDF) ABSTRACT The focus of this study is on a curriculum model of Co-operative Education (Co-op) on Peace Support Operations (PSO) in African defence forces, civil policing and diplomatic core. The post-1994 era has seen an increase in pressure for South Africa to become involved in United Nations (UN) and/or African Union (AU) driven Peace Support Operations (PSO) in Africa. The market for Education, Training and Development (ETD) in the field of PSO is growing rapidly, as South Africa is becoming increasingly involved in peacekeeping missions on the African continent. At present, there is no Higher Learning programme on generic PSO presented by any of the major universities in South Africa. The objectives of this project are to determine the need for a model of Co-op on PSO, and to write a comprehensive Instructional Design Report (ISD) and Curriculum. The principal product will consist out of a curriculum for PSO to be offered via Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Co-op. The key factors in production of the learning programme include scientific instructional design, Co-op and the forming of partnerships. The target market of potential learners includes military practitioners from the SANDF and SADC countries, diplomats, civilian employees of ministries of defence, foreign affairs, employees of NGO’s, scholars and relevant decision makers who could benefit from Co-op on PSO in Africa.