The Changing Face of Peacekeeping

This introductory module aims to provide the basic knowledge required to fully enjoy the subsequent lessons of the Peace Operations Summer School. To begin with, the presentation recounts the genesis of UN peacekeeping – first observers in Cashmere and Palestine, first Blue Helmets on Suez Canal – and emphasizes the improvised character of these founding peace operations, which were not foreseen by the drafters of the UN Charter. From these founding operations on, the presentation will review the operational evolutions and doctrinal debates about peacekeeping operations. This look back paves the way to a provisional assessment of peace operations. An overview of the main contemporary challenges will conclude the presentation.