Sharing Best Practice Across the Atlantic: A U.K.-U.S. legislator dialogue on civilian protection in armed conflict
Stewart McDonald M.P. and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drones invite you to join 'Sharing Best Practice Across the Atlantic: A U.K.-U.S. legislator dialogue on civilian protection in armed conflict' to mark the Group’s relaunch as the APPG on Drones and Modern Conflict.
“It is estimated that close to 90% of current war casualties are civilians, the majority of whom are women and children, compared to a century ago when 90% of those who lost their lives were military personnel.” - U.N. Women
The U.K. and U.S. work in a close and vital partnership, with a long history of grappling with how to ensure the protection of civilians in conflict, tackling security challenges together with a myriad of shared military partners across the globe.
As the nature of warfare changes, however, we’re seeing increased uncertainty and risk—physically to civilians in conflict areas, and strategically, for both U.K. and U.S. objectives. Conflicts are getting more complex and protracted, occur in increasingly densely populated urban areas, with wide-area explosives, and feature a multiplicity of actors.
Both the U.K. and U.S. are dealing with the challenge of calculating the impact of their own operations from a great distance, and the impact of their partner assistance. These complexities pose particular challenges when it comes to the protection of civilians, resulting in the sweeping destruction of civilian infrastructure, and devastating rise in civilian casualties by air operations and through partnered ground operations.
This event presents a unique opportunity for Members of the U.S. Congress and U.K. Parliament to exchange experiences and expertise in a transatlantic dialogue, share best practices and lessons learned, and identify what more needs to be done to enable greater civilian protection.
Speakers:
- Congressman Jim McGovern
- Gill Furniss, M.P.
Expert comments by:
- Iraq Office Manager, Save the Children
- Dmytro Chupryna, Deputy Director, Airwars
- Annie Shiel, Senior Advisor for the U.S., Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)
Moderator:
- Dr. Larry Lewis, Vice President and Director, Center for Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence, CNA
The event will take place on Thursday, December 2, at 2:00 PM-3:30 PM GMT/9:00 AM-10:30 AM EST, both online and in the Palace of Westminster, room TBD.