This week saw the start of Senior Course 115’s Fall Field Study–the Transatlantic Field Study, which is part of the Euro-Atlantic Security Module. Its core intention is to enhance Course Members’ knowledge of NATO’s Transatlantic Link and provide a more detailed insight into the activities of the major international organizations which play an important role in global security issues.
On 20 October the Senior Course was warmly welcomed to the German House, the seat of the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations, hosting the Senior Course for the United Nations briefings. The first session opened with a presentation by the first speaker, UN representative LtGen. OBIAKOR, DPKO, Office of the Military Advisor, who examined in depth the main obstacles encountered by the UN in its peacekeeping missions. He emphasised that the change in the security environment has resulted in a change in the nature of traditional peacekeeping missions, which are now confronted by diverse and complex security issues. The question has now arisen as to whether peacekeeping is the only means to resolve a conflict. Conflict prevention and other measures are also important.
The Senior Course discussed the fact that, because of the increasing complexity of threats, the actors, tasks and objectives of peacekeeping missions vary and therefore good relations among all the different actors are crucial. It was concluded that awareness of this is increasing and that the need to come to common definitions is generally recognised. The important thing is to accept that “if there is a peace for the UN to keep, then that is a condition for acting in timely manner”.
The second session focused on the presentation of a new partnership agenda charting a “New Horizon for Peacekeeping”, a recent UN project led by the two UN Departments, Peacekeeping and Support. An in-depth presentation was given by a high level speaker, Mr David HAERI, Chief of Peacekeeping. The project is intended to be a UN peacekeeping instrument able to meet the broad and complex modern-day requirements in an effective, efficient and sustainable manner. The Senior Course learned of the central challenges addressed by the project, such as eroding consensus in UN, conditionality of consent by host nations, sustainable transition and exit strategies. Another problem is caused by overstretch and the increased difficulty for Member States and the Secretariat to generate the capabilities required for UN peacekeeping operations. The Course engaged in a lively discussion about the partnership, vision and shared commitment required for effective implementation of peacekeeping operations.
High level academic panel lectures were given by the five Permanent UN Security Council Military Advisers. The discussion focused on the proliferation of UN peacekeeping operations, future conflict trends, peacekeeping trends and an analysis of worldwide conflicts. The P5 representatives gave the Senior Course first-hand information on the complex environment of UN missions and the effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping missions, emphasizing the need for stabilization in areas of concern and for a sound strategic approach to enhancement in the field of conflict resolution. Further discussion touched upon the most challenging operations in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as other areas of common concern to both international organizations, the UN and NATO, such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The fruitful and in-depth question and answer period with these senior UN officials underlined the fact that Senior Course 115’s visit to the United Nations was undeniably of great value and benefit to the Course Members.
The visit to the United Nations ended with a guided tour of the UN HQ.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Col. Daria DANIELS SKODNIK, SVN)
NATO Defense College