...the trauma of a conflict. As a result we must consciously be prepared to accept special constraints in our public and private lives in order to do the work and to pursue the ideals of the United Nations Organization” United Nations DPKO [1] These words illustrate the highest standards of integrity and conduct that need to be maintained and performed by the UN peacekeepers as required by the United Nations Organization. The world’s largest “club” embodies the aspirations of all the people of the world for maintaining peace and security of all its member states. It also at a glance demonstrates the main role or aims that have been made the responsibility of UN peacekeepers in relieving a conflict-torn country, although it relies on their dignity and restraint. Despite the many motivations behind UN peacekeepers (soldiers) joining the UN peace operations, such as compulsory military service, the opportunity for travel or adventure, to pursue a career, adding some skills that can be useful after retiring from service, or simply for better pay; many express their interest to bring peace to people and stability to an area wrecked by conflict.[2] My experience as a former UN peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 2004 until 2005 encouraged my intention to analyze what was going on there. UN peace operation has played its role twice in this country, with much of the “traditional peacekeeping” function being...
Words: 26778 - Pages: 108
...Peacemaking and Its Role in Bolstering Canadian Military Professionalism 16 December 2010 As the international view on how combat effectiveness is measured shifts with the change in how international conflicts are resolved, the role of the Canadians as peacekeepers has come under scrutiny. It has been argued that Canada's close tied with the United States has diminished the Canadian Force's relevance and ability to remain current in the modern theatre of war. However, Canada's participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations since 1945 has been a major factor in maintaining and enhancing military professionalism within the CF for the following reasons: 1. Peacekeeping is a dynamic role, always changing and evolving. 2. Peacekeeping and peacebuilding keeps the integrity Canada’s forces a strong presence both at home and on the international stage. 3. The training involved in performing these roles increases the diversity of the Canadian military. This paper will define what is meant when referring to military professionalism. It will then examine how peacekeeping is defined by the United Nations, the legacy of peacekeeping, and how it is born out of a tradition of combat. There will be a discussion about training peacekeepers, and how the Canadian Forces' role as a peacekeeper impacts our international relationships. In conclusion, the relevance of the CF's support missions and how they do indeed bolster its professionalism will be indisputable...
Words: 2972 - Pages: 12
...Is UN Peacekeeping seriously flawed? Hello fellow students, I am one of the debate leaders this week. I hope we can all bring some valid points to this debate, enjoy… Firstly I believe to fully understand what peacekeeping is, we should explore the meaning “peacekeeping” and how that is relevant to this debate. The Collins World English Dictionary defines peacekeeping as the maintenance of peace, esp. the prevention of further fighting between hostile forces in an area. The broad consensus on the term “peacekeeping” is a little different however - non-violent intervention, being the voice of reason and bearing witness to (and in the way of) violent and oppressive acts; tend to be what the average person would recognise as peacekeeping. How does this align with the current operational expectations of the United Nations in regards to peacekeeping? The UN commenced peacekeeping duties during the Cold War as a way to resolve conflict (aid the resolution) by observing the peace process as a neutral party. Since that time the United Nations Security Council has approved and engaged peacekeeping troops all over the world into many civil and international situations. However is this visual form of peacekeeping effective? Does having a military force on the ground that is committed to the protection of the civilian population in a war zone or facing inevitable oppression really work? In theory the answer is yes, frankly I think you would have to be inhumane to say otherwise. However...
Words: 727 - Pages: 3
...EMMERGING ROLE OF UN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FUTURE CONFLICTS INTRODUCTION Since the end of cold war, the world has been in a constant flux of changes, resulting into serious security risks. These risks range from border disputes to ethno-religious conflicts, most of which are likely to cause regional and global destabilization. In today’s unipolar world no single or group of states has the capacity to counter balance by themselves and therefore, the world is looking more towards United Nations (UN) for establishing World peace. The Collective power to shape the future is greater now than ever before. The world needs a new vision that can mobilize people everywhere to achieve higher levels of cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The foundation of UN some fifty five years ago was an expression by world leaders towards a new world wherein the international behavior and governance was about to begin. The domination of power blocks and less respect for use of UN forum for vested interest has curved the UN role. The potentialities of international organization led by UN are immense in this regard though not utilized to its full potential. At this new millenium every ones expectations are of more peaceful world order. But the natures of conflicts in future days are likely to be more diverse and complicated to be handled by UN. The causes of these conflicts will be mainly of race for nuclear power, global militarization, prolong economic sanction on...
Words: 12831 - Pages: 52
...Peacekeeping By ishaan harsh Rroll.no 1279 Provision for Peacekeeping in the Charter of the United Nations The Charter of the United Nations was signed, in San Francisco, on 26 June 1945 and is the foundation document for all the United Nations work. The United Nations was established to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” and one of its main purposes is to maintain international peace and security. Peacekeeping, although not explicitly provided for in the Charter, has evolved into one of the main tools used by the United Nations to achieve this purpose. The Charter gives the United Nations Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Security Council may adopt a range of measures, including the establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation. The legal basis for such action is found in Chapters VI, VII and VIII of the Charter. While Chapter VI deals with the “Specific Settlement of Disputes”, Chapter VII contains provisions related to “Action with Respect to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace and Acts of Aggression”. Chapter VIII of the Charter also provides for the involvement of regional arrangements and agencies in the maintenance of international peace and security provided such activities are consistent with the purposes and principles outlined in Chapter I of the Charter. United Nations peacekeeping operations have traditionally been associated with...
Words: 8577 - Pages: 35
...with its fundamental causes ****.[1] Thus, although the particular *** hole dispute might be settled permanently, another similar or related dispute may arise again later if the underlying causes are still there.[2] Conflict Resolution Incompatible interests are not the only things at issue in more severe conflicts. Conflicts last longer and are more deeply rooted than disputes. They tend to arise over non-negotiable issues such as fundamental human needs, intolerable moral bitchy differences, or high-stakes distributional issues regarding essential resources, such as money, water, or land. To truly resolve a conflict, the solution must go beyond just satisfying the parties' interests as in dispute settlement. To end or resolve a long-term conflict, a relatively stable solution that identifies **** and deals with the underlying sources of the conflict must be found. This is a more difficult task than simple dispute settlement, because resolution means going beyond negotiating interests to meet all sides' basic needs, while simultaneously finding a way to respect their underlying values and identities. However, some of the same intervention processes used in dispute settlement (i.e., mediation) are also used to achieve resolution. True conflict resolution requires a...
Words: 602 - Pages: 3
...A Term Paper on UN peacekeeping and the Role of Bangladesh Submitted to: Dr. Syeda Rozana Rashid Assistant professor Department of International Relations Submitted by: Roksana Mohammed(rk-56) Nafisa Noor(km-76) 2nd year 3rd semester Date of submission:11.05.2013 Abstract Peacekeeping operations by the UN are the operations designed to restore or protect the peace in certain areas of conflict. Peacekeeping has proven to be one of the most effective tools available to the United Nation to assist host countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace. Bangladesh has contributed the largest amount of troops in the UN peacekeeping operations. Bangladesh’s troops is being praised and honored by world widely because of its efficiency in UN Peacekeeping operations. This term paper is based on the activities of UN Peacekeeping and the role of Bangladesh in the UN peacekeeping missions. Bangladesh Army started its journey in the UN Peacekeeping mission in 1988.Bangladesh Armed Forces has so far participated in 52 Peacekeeping missions in 40 countries. This paper also regards with the view of the performance of troops of Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping missions and the importance of Bangladesh’s role in Peacekeeping mission as the contributor of the highest number of troops. The various issues with the troops of Bangladesh are also provided in the paper. References are also included in this paper. Content * Methodology………………………………………………………………pg-01 ...
Words: 5820 - Pages: 24
...Strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution MAIN SUBMITTER: Botswana _____________________________________________________________ The General Assembly, Acknowledging the aims and principles discussed and abided by in the Charter of the United Nations, Reaffirming its dedication to protect and honour the sovereignty of all States equally, its understanding of territorial integrity and political freedom of all States equally and the responsibility of all Member States to act internationally in conformity with the principles and aims of the Charter of the United Nations, Taking into account the importance of gender balance within every activity of the UN, whether it be decision-making or idea-generation, Understanding that violence due to arms, terrorism and civil disunion continues to hamper the serenity and social stability of numerous regions all around the world, Noting with appreciation the successes of certain previous mediation attempts as well as the peace and stability they have brought about, Taking note of the 2009 report by the Secretary-General of the United Nations promoting, propagating and supporting any and all mediation efforts made by UN and/or any other state or non-state actor, provided that the aim of the mediation was solely the peaceful settlements of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution, Reiterating Article 99 of the UN Charter, which states ‘The Secretary-General...
Words: 1518 - Pages: 7
...different things. The first one being a non-direct fight between the U.S.S.R and the U.S.A. The second being a war fought way up north. Canada as a country was actually a middle power during the events of the Cold War which means that Canada was not quite as large or powerful as the U.S.A during the Cold War but Canada still had some influence on a international level. This is most apparent in their involvement in the Korean War, involvement in peacekeeping operations around the world, and Lester B. Pearson actions that stopped a nuclear war around the world (the Suez...
Words: 1490 - Pages: 6
...United Nations faces easier to confront, as they highlighted the glaring weaknesses that riddled the early days of peacekeeping. The UN was portrayed as a vulnerable institution without a spine which could not enact strong and effective policies to deal with interventions, and it was this view which led me to look at the three most decisive UN interventions conducted on the African continent since its inception. The interventions in Angola , Somalia and Congo , were all conducted at different stages of the UN’s reign , and as such they help paint a clearer image on how far the organisation has come from post-World War II , through the Cold War to the present day. A major tool of the UN in its unprecedented efforts has been its UN Charter , within which it manifests its principles and goals clearly and concisely, and it is through this framework that it has conducted itself in every UN peacekeeping mission. The Charter is the working document of the UN as it follows its guidelines in a diligent and stringent manner. However, this stance has led to it being exploited by more cunning leaders, or even finding itself in the complex situation of being tempted to disobey the Charter, due to its limiting and constraining nature. In this essay, I will focus primarily on a combination of all the approaches used in writing essays .As such I will describe the three peacekeeping missions I have chosen mainly the UNOSOM, UNAVEM and UNOC and explain their history up until their demise, while...
Words: 16435 - Pages: 66
...Essay on the United Nations and peacekeeping. The UN Security Council is the main organization of the United Nations dedicated to the resolution of conflicts and peacekeeping. It is composed of fifteen members, five of whom are permanent, namely China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, and ten of which are elected by the General Assembly every two years. When the Security Council is confronted with a problem that can represent a threat for international peace and safety, it must first try to resolve the problem peacefully. In die past, the Security Council has acted as mediator or, in cases of armed conflict, proposed a cease-fire. The Council can also reinforce its decisions by enacting sanctions. Sanctions are a way for the Council to apply its decisions, constituting a step between a simple condemnation and armed intervention. Sanctions can include an arms embargo, trade and finance restrictions, the ceasing of air and sea contact, or diplomatic isolation. Furthermore, the council can also opt for measures that call for more people and material. Peacekeeping missions allow the Security Council to watch over the cease-fire and participate in the creation of conditions for peace. On a few occasions, the Security Council has authorized member States to use all the necessary’ means to keep the peace, including collective military action. General Indar Jit Rktye, the former president of the International Peace Academy who has participated...
Words: 784 - Pages: 4
...Conflict Resolution Jason D. Macias MU11BSP08 August 30, 2012 Dr. Fathiah Inserto Conflict Resolution Often times in life we come across challenges and conflicts. From childhood problems like a cousin taking your toys to adult bar room brawls the way we approach them is important to the outcome. Currently the USA is lodged in the global war on terrorism. Although it is labeled as a war the correct term of it is conflict. My article represents this to a certain extent. It is mainly about the conflict with in the countries themselves and do the western civilizations have the best interests in the outcome. The Middle East has always been a hotbed for conflict. From religious wars amongst the different sects of Islam to the corruption of the governments that control the people. They war with in themselves to control the people and are divided because of class systems. Over time the western super powers took interest due to oil causing these countries to battle for control of their countries natural resources. Dictators spread throughout the region because of unrest with false promises of resolving the conflict. By exploiting the extreme poverty levels and needs of these people while flooding them with propaganda they resolve these conflicts by means of war against other would be dictators. The reason that the west takes interest in these conflicts is simple. If they war against themselves, the natural resources become limited. If a dictator is in power in oil or other...
Words: 683 - Pages: 3
...obey. This gives the Security Council a very important and powerful position in the United Nations and in the world. Some of the challenges to effective peacekeeping are considered largely conceptual. In the past, peacekeepers were merely expected to separate hostile forces and observe cease-fires or truces President's Homeland Security Advisory Council, (2008). According to Luck, (2006), for the operation to be successful, it is essential that the parties to the conflict offer their collaboration and support. However, in recent conflicts, involving ethnic-based disputes, internal political struggle or the collapse of state institutions, the UN Security Council has been acting without the clear consent of the parties to the conflict Moravcsik, (1998. The result is that the environment for peacekeeping is no longer benign. Peacekeepers increasingly work in a climate of continuing armed conflict, sometimes in places where there are poorly defined borders or cease-fire lines and no guarantees of respect for their safety or role. Greenwood, (1993) argues that this new and complex environment, together with the ambitious objectives of the United Nations Security Council and ever-growing pressure on scarce resources, has made it more imperative than ever to think clearly about when and how the UN should become involved in peacekeeping operations. Another...
Words: 1133 - Pages: 5
...‘Doing some things’ in the Xi Jinping era: the United Nations as China’s venue of choice ROSEMARY FOOT * There has been intense scholarly debate in China over the past few years as to the continuing relevance of the famous aphorism attributed to Deng Xiaoping exhorting the Chinese government to ‘bide its time, hide its brightness, not seek leadership, but do some things’.1 Although that debate about the appropriateness of this strategy in an era of enhanced Chinese material power has not reached a definitive conclusion, there are several indications that the new leadership, under President Xi Jinping, has decided that it would like to become more active and ‘do more’ in the international realm. How much more, in reality, will undoubtedly be influenced by the reactions of others and the unfolding of events—both domestic and global—but undoubtedly there is an intention on the part of Beijing to make good on its increase in relative power and the opportunities that a more centralized leadership under President Xi Jinping provides for articulating a clearer foreign policy message and more forward foreign policy behaviour. This article provides evidence in support of the argument that China has decided to adopt a more activist foreign policy. It focuses predominantly on China’s policy towards the United Nations as a way of demonstrating a new willingness to take decisions previously left in abeyance, and as an example of a policy area where the Chinese leadership believes it is showing...
Words: 9592 - Pages: 39
...! South Sudan Topic Background It has been slightly over three years since this fledgling nation seceded from Sudan in July 2011. Now the country is fraught with a major political upheaval, a debilitating famine, a declining economy, and an impending civil war ripe with ethnic tension. The South Sudanese political and social schism erupted after President Salva Kiir began to crackdown on the supporters of his rival, former Vice President Riek Machard. Mr. Machard attempted a coup to overthrow the President shortly after Mr. Kiir dismissed the entirety of his government due to suspicion that they were plotting to overthrow his regime. The conflict boiled over and turned violent between the feuding army factions on December 15th 2013. The political struggle between these two factions quickly escalated into a full-scale ethnic conflict and has created a violent schism within the country. Mr. Kiir identifies with the Dinka ethnic group, South Sudan’s majority, whereas Mr. Machard is a member of the less populous Nuer group. After the attempted coup, Mr. Kiir went after many of Mr. Machard’s supporters in order to reassert and consolidate his authority. However, the South Sudanese political allegiances generally correlate to ethnic identity and the vast majority...
Words: 3086 - Pages: 13
