Información del curso

This course analyzes UN peace missions in a changing world. Being the main instrument of the UN to promote peace, they have come under increased pressure in recent years. Major peacekeeping operations are withdrawing (such as in Mali or the Democratic Republic of Congo), political missions are facing push back from host states (such as in Sudan, Somalia, or Iraq), while good offices missions are criticized for their inefficiency (such as in Yemen or Syria). We examine these trends, their connections with broader world politics, and their impact in conflict contexts, and situate them in their longer-term historical context. The course introduces students to the main theoretical debates around UN peace and security engagements and provides an opportunity to discuss the role of the UN in a shifting world political context.

In terms of structure, the course first provides an overview of the nature, development, and types of UN peace missions and introduces core concepts and theories surrounding their mandates, deployments, and outcomes. We then analyze the historical evolution of UN peace missions, situating them in a changing world political context and getting acquainted with different types of peace missions. Subsequently, we examine the mandates of UN peace missions, including the concepts of the minimum use of force, consent, and impartiality; UN peace missions’ interaction with host populations; aspects related to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and climate security; as well as the role of new and emerging powers in UN peace missions. Finally, we examine different options for measuring the effectiveness of UN peace missions and their local impact before concluding with a discussion on possible future trajectories.

The course is based on concrete case studies of UN peace missions as well as a simulation exercise and provides students with a solid understanding of their role in the UN’s efforts to maintain international peace and security.