NDUC marks seven decades of UN peacekeeping with a conference on one of the most controversial aspects of peacekeeping operations today: the use of force to keep the peace.
The conference is free of charge and open to all. Registration is compulsory, go to conference page: https://forsvaret.no/hogskolene/Arrangementer/military-force-un-peace-operations
The Institute of Military Leadership and Operations (IMLO), including the Norwegian Defence International Centre (NODEFIC), is hosting a conference gathering distinguished scholars, as well as military practitioners with experience from UN missions, to explore the use of force in UN peace operations.
Date: Thursday 30 August 2018
Time: 10.00–16.00 (coffee and registration from 9.30, light lunch 11.30–12.15)
Venue: Norwegian Defence University College (NDUC), Akershus fortress, building 10, Oscarsborg
Host: NDUC/Institute of Military Leadership and Operations (IMLO)
In 1948, the first UN peacekeeping mission was established, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), in the Middle East. 70 years later, one of the key challenges facing UN peacekeeping is the deployment of operations where there is no peace to keep, and where conflicting parties are still fighting. This has emphasised the question of using force in peace operations.
While some scholars argue that the use of force is challenging the very principles of UN peacekeeping, the aim of this conference is instead to increase our understanding of the utility of force when peacekeeping operations are deployed in volatile environments. Some of the topics up for discussion are:
- How is military force used in UN peace operations?
- What are the main requirements and obstacles?
- How can we increase the effectiveness of force within the UN framework?
PROGRAMME
10.00–10.15 Welcoming address by Colonel Atle Stai, Director for the Institute of Military Leadership and Operations at the NDUC.
10.15–11.30 PANEL 1: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FORCE IN PEACE OPERATIONS
Participants
Research Fellow Hannah Smidt, GIGA Institute of African Affairs, Hamburg, Germany.
"Making Electoral Peace: The Effects of Electoral Security Assistance on Election-Related Violence"
Senior Researcher Stian Kjeksrud, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), Oslo, Norway.
"Using Force to Protect Civilians: Tracing the Effects of UN Military Protection Operations"
Associate Professor Kersti Larsdotter, IMLO, Norwegian Defence University College, Oslo, Norway.
"Fighting Spoilers of Peace: The Effectiveness of Force in UN Peacekeeping"
Q&A
11.30–12.15 Light lunch
12.15–13.45 PANEL 2: THE CHANGING REQUIREMENTS OF USING FORCE IN PEACE OPERATIONS
Participants
Professor Walter Dorn, Royal Military College (RMC) and the Canadian Forces College, Canada.
"Attack Helicopters and other Crucial Technology for Peace Enforcement"
Associate Professor Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé, Department of Politics and International Studies, Bishop's University, Quebec, Canada.
"Intelligence Driven Force in UN Peacekeeping Missions"
Major Håvard Johansen, NODEFIC, Norwegian Defence University College, Oslo, Norway.
"Medical Support for UN Peace Operations in High-Risk Environments"
Visiting Scholar Andrea L. Everett, Center for Democracy, Development and Rule of Law, Stanford University, USA.
"Organizing Force: Aligning Goals and Resources for Effective UN Missions"
Q&A
13.45–14.15 Coffee
14.15–15.30 PANEL 3: THE WAY AHEAD OF USING FORCE IN PEACE OPERATIONS
Participants
Lt. General (R) Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz, former National Secretary for Public Security, Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Brazil, as well as former Force Commander MONUSCO.
"MONUSCO, DR Congo"
Colonel Petter HF Lindqvist and Colonel Rune Solberg, NODEFIC, Norwegian Defence University College. Former Chiefs of Staff UNMISS.
"UNMISS, South Sudan"
Lt. General Michael Lollesgaard, Danish Military Representative to NATO. Former Force Commander MINUSMA.
"MINUSMA, Mali"
Q&A
15.45–16.00 Concluding Remarks