6. Suggested activities for students and topics for discussion

1. It is common knowledge that one of the main sources we get information about world conflicts from is Mass Media. However some operations receive much more attention by the media than others? Compare and contrast the news coverage of the missions. What factors affect the extent of coverage? How can you account for the choice of targets for wide broadcasting?

2. Take any peacekeeping mission - either current or completed and research it. Outline to follow for research of each mis­sion is: duration, location, headquarters, mandate, authorized strength, current strength, contributors and historical background. You can prepare а news broadcast to present your information.

3. Study other areas of UN work, such as that of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, the International Atomic Energy Agency; the World Food Programme and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). For individual peacekeeping missions, how is the work of these agencies coordinated with the mission? What other non-governmental organizations or private voluntary organizations (such as the International Red Cross, CARE, Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, World Vision, the American Friends Service Committee, Catholic Relief Services) are active in the area of the mission? What kind of work are they doing?

4. Choose an individual mission and research the following steps for details:

а) There is а disagreement or war between opposing forces or sides.

b) The issue is brought before the UN Security Council.

с) The opposing forces agree on the specific purpose of the operation, whether it is to monitor а ceasefire, patrol а border area, transport humanitarian aid or moni­tor an election.

d) The Security Council passes а resolution defining the mandate of the operation and establishing the peacekeeping mission for а fixed period of time (generally six months).

е) The mandate is implemented once countries voluntarily contribute forces and equipment to the operation;

f) UN members are assessed for costs of the operation.

g) The Secretary-General appoints the UN peacekeeping commander for the military operation, who reports to the Secretary-General and other UN peacekeeping commanders from other countries to assist this person.

h) The Secretary-General selects а special representative to coordinate all civilian and military undertakings of the mission.

i) Тhe Secretary-General reports on the progress of the operation to the Security Council.

j) At the end of the fixed period (or sooner if required), the Security Council deter­ mines the next step (continuation, reorientation or termination of the mission).

5. Choose а particular country (уour own or any other) and follow its contributions to peacekeeping efforts. Some recipient countries of peacekeepers have turned into contributing countries. Can you find them?

6. Design уour own visual representation of what you think а successful/ideal peacekeeping mission would look like. Share the representations with others.