In keeping with our commitment to providing training and education
for individuals involved in peace operations activities, we have
designed the Peace Operations Info section.
Here you will find background information on modern peace operations,
news on current peace operations initiatives, and links to other
valuable sites.
Our Philosophy
1. As the dynamic of conflict changes, so must the response of
the international community. Classical Peacekeeping operations conducted
during the Cold War era usually involved only the military. The
process leading to the deployment of a United Nations force was
straightforward: war, ceasefire, an invitation from the conflict
parties to monitor the ceasefire, followed by the deployment of
military observers, while negotiations for a political settlement
continued.
2. In contrast, contemporary peace operations are increasingly
complex. They are:
- Deployed into both inter-state and intra-state conflicts;
- Conducted in every phase of the conflict spectrum, from prevention
through to post-war reconstruction;
- Dependent on close cooperation among civilian, police, and military
organizations from the international community, with parties to
the conflict and war-affected populations; and
- Open new areas of international activity with conflict-affected
countries, such as reforms to the security sector.
3. Peace operations are initiatives by members of the international
community to help states avoid, mitigate or recover from violent
conflict. Peace operations, therefore, is an umbrella term that
includes activities such as conflict prevention, conflict mitigation,
peace making, peacekeeping and peace building.
4. Peace operations build the basic condition for human development
and security to exist. They also reduce the security threat to Canadians
at home. By working to ensure peace and stability abroad, peace
operations reduce the conditions that terrorists and others who
threaten peace need to exist and function.
5. The Pearson Peacekeeping Centre is an independent, not-for-profit
organization established in 1994 by the Government of Canada. Our
mandate is to support Canada’s contribution to international
peace and security. We do this by conducting a programme of education,
training, and research on all aspects of peace operations at our
campuses in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, Montreal, Quebec, and at locations
around the world. The PPC works in French and English, as well as
other languages.
6. Through our programmes, the PPC seeks to enhance the effectiveness
of individuals and, through them, the organizations for whom they
work. Our learning environment is multidisciplinary, multicultural
and international. This simulates the reality of working in a complex
field environment.
7. In developing our programmes, the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre
seeks to build synergies among the:
- Objectives and distinctive competencies of the Pearson Peacekeeping
Centre;
- Policy objectives of the Government of Canada; and the
- Expressed needs of organizations working in the field and/or
other peace operations education and training centres.
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