Bukavu, 3 March 2011 – With the realization that acts of sexual misconduct committed by a small minority have devastating effects on the overall image of peacekeeping, troops of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) in Bukavu, South Kivu province, held a workshop designed to explore strategies to attain self-discipline within their ranks. The 20 participants were drawn from different contingents and companies deployed in the Katanga and South Kivu provinces.

On several occasions UN peacekeepers in the DRC have seen their good reputation go down the drain due to wrongful acts on the part of a handful of them. As a result, they decided to remedy this situation from within, using their own creativity and ingenuity.

The workshop, therefore, sought to devise strategies for preventing, identifying and responding to cases of misconduct, not only among military personnel but also among civilians.

Participants recognized the need to promote awareness and observance of the procedures and directives established by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, which provide for sanctions in case of non compliance with the existing Code of Conduct.

Cognizant of the relation between stress and misconduct, and the importance of keeping "a sound mind in a sound body", they decided to put renewed emphasis on recreational activities such as sports, games, movie screening and reading.

They also recognized the need to promote awareness of sexually transmittable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, through education. Going even further, representatives of some of the contingents recommended organizing meditations and group prayers.

In addition to these concrete measures, contingent commanders decided to improve the well-being of their troops by encouraging them to take regular family holidays, as well as providing them with free communication tools such as phone lines and Internet connections to allow them to stay in touch with their loved ones.