In late October 2020, UNESCO approached me in my capacity as Secretary General of the IEB. They had been looking for a police organisation that had contacts worldwide, to deliver free training to police officers, based on the UN Declaration on Human Rights. The ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë with +370,000 members were of interest. The flagship of the ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë, IBZ Gimborn, was asked if they could produce an online training course as requested by UNESCO. Since then, we have been working hard to bring this project together and apply for funding.
After a long planning process, I am delighted to present our collaboration with UNESCO and IBZ Gimborn in a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for members of police agencies, on “Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists”.
All national sections have received an invitation letter signed by our President, Pierre-Martin Moulin and the UNESCO representative, plus promotional material for this free online course. The MOOC consists of five modules and a live webinar, and starts on 11 July 2022. All information, including a promotional video and banners, can be found on the ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë international website at: /Events/mooc-on-freedom-of-expression-and-safety-of-journalists-collaboration-of-unesco-ipa-and-ibz-gimborn.
By registering for this MOOC, you will contribute to a safer and more peaceful world. This is ever so important today with a decrease of democracy worldwide and an unsafe world. Journalists are working on behalf of democracy, reporting from war zones, conflict areas, demonstrations and governmental buildings, places where we as police officers are present to protect the public and at the same time freedom of expression.
One of the ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë’s aims is to protect human rights and world peace, and by participating in this collaboration and registering for the MOOC, you, as well as the ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë worldwide, will contribute the UN’s Sustainable Goal 4 – Quality Education, Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and Goal 17 – Partnership for the Goals.
Taking part in this five-week online course, you will learn how you, as an ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë member, police officer, police staff, and / or journalist, academic or lawyer, can strengthen the protection of freedom of expression.
I encourage you to promote and participate in the MOOC and ask your members, police agencies and additional professionals to register.
Thank you for your support! Servo per Amikeco,
May-Britt V.R. Ronnebro, ÍõÖÐÍõÁùºÏ²ÊÌØÂë Secretary General