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1<!DOCTYPE html><html data-scroll-behavior="smooth"><head><meta charSet="utf-8" data-next-head=""/><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width" data-next-head=""/><title data-next-head="">About UCP Academy | Advancing Unarmed Civilian Protection Worldwide</title><meta name="description" content="Discover the mission and vision of the UCP Academy. Learn how we equip individuals and communities with tools to prevent violence and promote peace globally." data-next-head=""/><meta name="robots" content="index, follow" data-next-head=""/><link rel="canonical" href="https://www.ucpacademy.org/about/" data-next-head=""/><meta property="og:type" content="website" data-next-head=""/><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.ucpacademy.org/about/" data-next-head=""/><meta property="og:title" content="About UCP Academy | Advancing Unarmed Civilian Protection Worldwide" data-next-head=""/><meta property="og:description" content="Discover the mission and vision of the UCP Academy. Learn how we equip individuals and communities with tools to prevent violence and promote peace globally." data-next-head=""/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" data-next-head=""/><meta name="twitter:title" content="About UCP Academy | Advancing Unarmed Civilian Protection Worldwide" data-next-head=""/><meta name="twitter:description" content="Discover the mission and vision of the UCP Academy. Learn how we equip individuals and communities with tools to prevent violence and promote peace globally." data-next-head=""/><link rel="preload" href="/_next/static/chunks/35ysrxt5r7zas.css" as="style"/><link rel="preload" href="/_next/static/chunks/1e3l295kqwkl0.css" as="style"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="/_next/static/chunks/35ysrxt5r7zas.css" data-n-g=""/><link rel="stylesheet" href="/_next/static/chunks/1e3l295kqwkl0.css" data-n-p=""/><noscript data-n-css=""></noscript>

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1</head><body><link rel="preload" as="image" href="/media/images/UCP_Logo.png"/><link rel="preload" as="image" href="/media/images/hands_only_logo.png"/><link rel="preload" as="image" href="/media/images/orientation.jpg"/><link rel="preload" as="image" href="/media/images/ucp_tree.jpg"/><div id="__next"><header class="Header-module__Af2_WG__header"><div class="Header-module__Af2_WG__inner"><a class="Header-module__Af2_WG__logo" href="/"><img src="/media/images/UCP_Logo.png" alt="UCP Academy Logo"/></a><nav class="Header-module__Af2_WG__nav "><a class="Header-module__Af2_WG__navLink " href="/">Welcome</a><a class="Header-module__Af2_WG__navLink " href="/about">About</a><a class="Header-module__Af2_WG__navLink " href="/changemakers">Changemakers</a><a class="Header-module__Af2_WG__navLink " href="/news">News</a><a href="https://ucp.gn.apc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="Header-module__Af2_WG__navLink">Resources</a><div class="Header-module__Af2_WG__navSocial"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ucp_academy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Instagram"><svg width="22" height="22" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 0-3.667.014-4.947.072-4.358.2-6.78 2.618-6.98 6.98-.059 1.281-.073 1.689-.073 4.948 0 3.259.014 3.668.072 4.948.2 4.358 2.618 6.78 6.98 6.98 1.281.058 1.689.072 4.948.072 3.259 0 3.668-.014 4.948-.072 4.354-.2 6.782-2.618 6.979-6.98.059-1.28.073-1.689.073-4.948 0-3.259-.014-3.667-.072-4.947-.196-4.354-2.617-6.78-6.979-6.98-1.281-.059-1.69-.073-4.949-.073zm0 5.838c-3.403 0-6.162 2.759-6.162 6.162s2.759 6.163 6.162 6.163 6.162-2.759 6.162-6.163c0-3.403-2.759-6.162-6.162-6.162zm0 10.162c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4 0-2.209 1.791-4 4-4s4 1.791 4 4c0 2.21-1.791 4-4 4zm6.406-11.845c-.796 0-1.441.645-1.441 1.44s.645 1.44 1.441 1.44c.795 0 1.439-.645 1.439-1.44s-.644-1.44-1.439-1.44z"></path></svg></a><a href="http://linkedin.com/company/ucp-academy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="LinkedIn"><svg width="22" height="22" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M20.447 20.452h-3.554v-5.569c0-1.328-.027-3.037-1.852-3.037-1.853 0-2.136 1.445-2.136 2.939v5.667H9.351V9h3.414v1.561h.046c.477-.9 1.637-1.85 3.37-1.85 3.601 0 4.267 2.37 4.267 5.455v6.286zM5.337 7.433c-1.144 0-2.063-.926-2.063-2.065 0-1.138.92-2.063 2.063-2.063 1.14 0 2.064.925 2.064 2.063 0 1.139-.925 2.065-2.064 2.065zm1.782 13.019H3.555V9h3.564v11.452zM22.225 0H1.771C.792 0 0 .774 0 1.729v20.542C0 23.227.792 24 1.771 24h20.451C23.2 24 24 23.227 24 22.271V1.729C24 .774 23.2 0 22.222 0h.003z"></path></svg></a></div></nav><button class="Header-module__Af2_WG__hamburger" aria-label="Toggle navigation"><span class="Header-module__Af2_WG__bar "></span><span class="Header-module__Af2_WG__bar "></span><span class="Header-module__Af2_WG__bar "></span></button></div></header><main class="About-module__suJDDW__main"><section class="About-module__suJDDW__intro"><div class="About-module__suJDDW__container"><img src="/media/images/hands_only_logo.png" alt="UCP Hands Logo" class="About-module__suJDDW__handsLogo"/><h1 class="About-module__suJDDW__introTitle">What is the UCP Academy?</h1><p class="About-module__suJDDW__introText">The UCP Academy is a global education and training platform that provides accessible, integrative learning opportunities for individuals and organisations working in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and civilian protection. Through our initiatives and resources, we equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively apply Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) strategies across diverse conflict contexts.</p></div></section><section class="About-module__suJDDW__videoSection"><div class="About-module__suJDDW__videoWrap">

1<video class="About-module__suJDDW__video" controls="" playsInline="" preload="metadata"><source src="/media/videos/about_promo.webm" type="video/webm"/><source src="/media/videos/about_promo.mp4" type="video/mp4"/>Your browser does not support the video tag.</video></div></section><section class="About-module__suJDDW__mission"><div class="About-module__suJDDW__missionInner"><h2 class="About-module__suJDDW__missionTitle">Our Mission</h2><div class="About-module__suJDDW__missionRule"></div><p class="About-module__suJDDW__missionText">Our mission is to expand understanding and access to the theory and practice of Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP), and to strengthen the capacities of individuals and communities worldwide to interrupt cycles of violence and support nonviolent responses to conflict.</p></div></section><section class="About-module__suJDDW__whatIsUcp"><div class="About-module__suJDDW__whatIsUcpImage"><img src="/media/images/orientation.jpg" alt="UCP Practitioner talking to locals"/></div><div class="About-module__suJDDW__whatIsUcpCard"><h2 class="About-module__suJDDW__whatIsUcpTitle">What is UCP?</h2><p class="About-module__suJDDW__whatIsUcpText">Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) is the practice of unarmed civilians providing direct physical protection to other civilians before, during, or after violent conflict using nonviolent strategies that are grounded in locally embedded responses and proactive engagement with key stakeholders to create safe space and prevent harm to vulnerable populations so they can better address their own needs, solve their own conflicts, and protect those at risk of harm or death.</p></div></section><section class="About-module__suJDDW__treeSection"><div class="About-module__suJDDW__container"><h2 class="About-module__suJDDW__treeTitle">Core Components of Unarmed Civilian Protection (The UCP Tree)</h2><p class="About-module__suJDDW__treeSubtitle">Our courses illustrate the interconnected aspects of Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP).</p><button class="About-module__suJDDW__treeImageBtn" aria-label="View full resolution UCP Tree"><img src="/media/images/ucp_tree.jpg" alt="Core Components of Unarmed Civilian Protection - The UCP Tree" class="About-module__suJDDW__treeImage"/><span class="About-module__suJDDW__treeZoomHint">Click to expand</span></button></div></section><section class="About-module__suJDDW__advisory"><div class="About-module__suJDDW__container"><hr class="About-module__suJDDW__advisoryRule"/><h2 class="About-module__suJDDW__advisoryTitle">Advisory Team</h2><img src="/media/images/hands_only_logo.png" alt="UCP Hands Logo" class="About-module__suJDDW__advisoryLogo"/><ul class="About-module__suJDDW__advisoryList"><li><strong>Dr. Berit Bliesemann de Guevara</strong>, <!-- -->Professor of International Politics at Aberystwyth University</li><li><strong>Anchana Heemmina</strong>, <!-- -->Founder, Duay Jai Group</li><li><strong>Laura Jiménez Ospina</strong>, <!-- -->Research Assistant, Creating Safer Spaces</li><li><strong>Dr. Rachel Julien</strong>, <!-- -->Professor of International Relations, Peacebuilding, and Development at Leeds Beckett University</li><li><strong>Eliane Lakam</strong>, <!-- -->DC Peace Team</li><li><strong>Dr. Nerve Macaspac</strong>, <!-- -->Assistant Professor of Political Science and Global Affairs, College of Staten Island</li><li><strong>Huibert Oldenhuis</strong>, <!-- -->Head of Global Programming, Nonviolent Peaceforce</li><li><strong>Robert Rivers</strong>, <!-- -->Global UCP Training Manager, Nonviolent Peaceforce</li><li><strong>Dr. Bernard Sakah</strong>, <!-- -->Director, Big Steps Outreach Network</li></ul></div></section></main><footer class="Footer-module__EZoWya__footer"><div class="Footer-module__EZoWya__newsletterWrap"><div class="Footer-module__EZoWya__newsletterCard"><h3 class="Footer-module__EZoWya__newsletterTitle">Keep up to date with us</h3><div class="Footer-module__EZoWya__newsletterForm"><div class="Footer-module__EZoWya__inputRow"><div class="Footer-module__EZoWya__inputGroup"><label for="email" class="Footer-module__EZoWya__inputLabel">Email*</label><input type="email" id="email" placeholder="Email*" class="Footer-module__EZoWya__input"/></div><button class="Footer-module__EZoWya__subscribeBtn" type="button">Subscribe</button></div><label class="Footer-module__EZoWya__checkboxLabel"><input type="checkbox" class="Footer-module__EZoWya__checkbox"/><span>I want to subscribe to your mailing list</span></label></div></div></div><div class="Footer-module__EZoWya__footerMain"><div class="Footer-module__EZoWya__footerLogoTop"><img src="/media/images/UCP_Logo.png" alt="UCP Academy Logo" class="Footer-module__EZoWya__footerLogo"/></div><div class="Footer-module__EZoWya__footerColumns"><div><h4 class="Footer-module__EZoWya__colTitle">Quick Links</h4><ul class="Footer-module__EZoWya__linkList"><li><a href="/">Welcome</a></li><li><a href="/about">About</a></li><li><a href="/changemakers">Changemakers</a></li><li><a href="/news">News</a></li><li><a href="/partners">Partners</a></li><li><a href="https://ucp.gn.apc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Resources</a></li></ul></div><div><h4 class="Footer-module__EZoWya__colTitle">Changemakers</h4><ul class="Footer-module__EZoWya__linkList"><li><a href="/changemakers">Are you a Changemaker?</a></li></ul></div><div class="Footer-module__EZoWya__colLogo"><img src="/media/images/UCP_Logo.png" alt="UCP Academy Logo" class="Footer-module__EZoWya__footerLogo"/></div></div><div class="Footer-module__EZoWya__social"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ucp_academy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Instagram"><svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"><path d="M12 2.163c3.204 0 3.584.012 4.85.07 3.252.148 4.771 1.691 4.919 4.919.058 1.265.069 1.645.069 4.849 0 3.205-.012 3.584-.069 4.849-.149 3.225-1.664 4.771-4.919 4.919-1.266.058-1.644.07-4.85.07-3.204 0-3.584-.012-4.849-.07-3.26-.149-4.771-1.699-4.919-4.92-.058-1.265-.07-1.644-.07-4.849 0-3.204.013-3.583.07-4.849.149-3.227 1.664-4.771 4.919-4.919 1.266-.057 1.645-.069 4.849-.069zm0-2.163c-3.259 

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