Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s introduction of “Responsibility While Protecting” (RWP) at the opening of the 66th General Assembly in 2011 has brought a refreshing perspective to R2P discussions. RWP focuses on three major issues: the monitoring of UN Security Council sanctioned use of force; the sequencing of R2P’s three pillars; and the need to exhaust all peaceful means before considering the use of force. On 23 August 2012 the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, together with the Stanley Foundation and a leading Brazilian research institute, Fundaco Getulio Vargas, hosted an off-the-record workshop in Brazil for foreign ministry officials, including Foreign Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, seeking to advance understanding about the Responsibility While Protecting and the role it may play in strengthening R2P.

The following day, 24 August, a public “Conversation on RWP” was held to raise awareness about the subject. The public conversation included Hon. Gareth Evans, former foreign minister of Australia and GCR2P IAB co-chair; Dr. Simon Adams, Executive Director of the Global Centre; Dr. Jennifer Welsh, Professor of International Relations at Oxford University; and Doc Mashabane, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the South African Mission to the UN.

The Hon. Gareth Evans delivered the keynote address.