Capacity Building For Peacekeeping

In 2004, for the second time in a decade, the international community found it necessary to intervene in Haiti to enforce and keep a peace. For the first time under a United Nations mandate, several Latin American countries stepped up to lead the mission. Chile provided political leadership in the form of the special representative of the secretary general, while Brazil agreed to send the force commander as well as troops. Several other Latin American states also deployed military personnel. As a result of this historically unique circumstance, CHDS led a research project that looked at capacity building in the hemisphere for those countries that took part in the peacekeeping operation in Haiti: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay. The project identified strategic-level lessons learned in capacity building for peacekeeping and tapped experts from all ten to contribute to Capacity Building for Peacekeeping. In addition, this study identifies which lessons are applicable to the critical task of peacekeeping operations in general.

The authors explore the definition of Security sector reform (SSR) as it has emerged in the international community. The makeup of the security sector is examined, principles are identified for implementing SSR, and outcomes SSR is intended to produce are specified. Supporting case studies assess specific SSR programs. The authors conclude that those conducting SSR programs must understand and continually revisit the policy goals of SSR programs so as to develop concepts that support a transitional process that moves forward over time. State actors must acknowledge and often accommodate nonstate security actors more effectively in SSR planning and implementation, while recognizing both the advantages and the risks of collaborating with such actors. The authors also note the need for more flexible and better integrated funding processes. (Originally published by the Strategic Studies Institute.)

Most of the recent conflicts have taken place within states. The larger tragedies in these conflicts are that civilians are main victims and that has forced the international community to intervene. This has resulted in additional demand of UN Peacekeeping forces with varying demands based on the kind of conflict. The book giving examples from the Indian experience brings out how peacekeepers become peace builders.

The realm of international peace and capacity development operations is a critical and contested space. Efforts to date have failed to meet expectations. This volume of work takes on the breadth of issues across the security-development spectrum, challenging conventional wisdom while pointing to ways in which improvements in this crucial space can be realised.

A case study of an increasingly necessary "military operation other than war"

This book analyzes both indigenous and external efforts to develop African countries' individual and collective capacities to undertake peacekeeping operations. It chronicles the participation of African countries in United Nations peacekeeping operations and non-African-led multinational forces over the past 50 years. It also discusses the role of the United Nations in peacekeeping in the region and concludes with recommendations on how to make current approaches more effective--Publisher's description.

"In Peace Operations Seen from Below Beatrice Pouligny argues that much of what is being rebuilt in societies emerging from war - or in some cases what is continuing to be destroyed - often lies in the 'ordinary' daily lives of both local populations and the staff of UN missions. These on-the-ground realities are often overlooked by outsiders, yet they may prove to be as important as political negotiations at the 'center', debates in the UN Security Council or hearings before an International Criminal Court." "Central to Pouligny's study is the key role played by local interlocutors. Her close analysis of several UN interventions, based on first hand observation of how local people intermingle with UN soldiery and civilians, sheds light on a neglected but crucial dimension of international peace enforcement."--BOOK JACKET.

The protection of civilians is a highly topical issue at the forefront of international discourse, and has taken a prominent role in many international deployments. It has been at the center of debates on the NATO intervention in Libya, UN deployments in Darfur, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and on the failures of the international community in Sri Lanka and Syria. Variously described as a moral responsibility, a legal obligation, a mandated peacekeeping task, and the culmination of humanitarian activity, it has become a high-profile concern of governments, international organizations, and civil society, and a central issue in international peace and security. This book offers a multidisciplinary treatment of this important topic, harnessing perspectives from international law and international relations, traversing academia and practice. Moving from the historical and philosophical development of the civilian protection concept, through relevant bodies of international law and normative underpinnings, and on to politics and practice, the volume presents coherent cross-cutting analysis of the realities of conflict and diplomacy. In doing so, it engages a series of current debates, including on the role of politics in what has often been characterized as a humanitarian endeavor, and the challenges and impacts of the use of force. The work brings together a wide array of eminent academics and respected practitioners, incorporating contributions from legal scholars and ethicists, political commentators, diplomats, UN officials, military commanders, development experts and humanitarian aid workers. As the most comprehensive publication on the subject, this will be a first port of call for anyone studying or working towards a better protection of civilians in conflict.