Peacekeeping – Peacebuilding Preparing for the future

Abstract:

Once upon a time, peacekeeping operations tended to be calm and consensual. There was a peace to be kept, and the peacekeepers were invited to do so by the parties to an already resolved conflict. Today’s peacekeeping may take an entirely different form. There is less clarity about peace, the conflict might even be ongoing, with no clear views on who the parties to it actually are.

Safeguarding civilians and the peacekeepers themselves may necessitate more use of force than before. Not taking sides may be difficult. The 'international community' is called upon to help in diverse situations of tragedy and emergency.

The international community, too, seems splintered into a multiplicity of different players, each of whom represents – well, just who exactly? In essence, instead of keeping the peace, the international community is invited to participate in the building of peace. But how can this be achieved?