Maintaining the Peace: The Work of the United Nations

Catalog description

This course examines the work of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security in general, and conflict prevention, peace-making, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding in particular, primarily from the perspective of the role of the Secretary-General and the Secretariat. It builds on students’ knowledge of the organization’s place in the system of international relations and global governance. It will provide a deeper understanding of how the UN functions in the area of peace and security at the operational level, and will include illustrative case studies, and a simulation exercise. It focuses on UN institutional entities and components beyond the intergovernmental bodies (Security Council, General Assembly); the mechanisms and tools they rely upon for preventive diplomacy and peace-making, peacekeeping and peacebuilding; the unique advantages and limitations of the organization; the interlinkages between the peace and security, development and human rights pillars of the organization as well as the evolution of its practices and continuing and emerging trends.