07.12.2016.

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Civilian capacity in peacekeeping operations great potential for foreign policy

Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) supported the countries of the Western Balkans in the “building civil capacity to participate in peacekeeping operations“, in the period from 2013 to 2016. In cooperation with the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and regional network of experts of civil society organizations which ...

Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) supported the countries of the Western Balkans in the “building civil capacity to participate in peacekeeping operations“, in the period from 2013 to 2016.

In cooperation with the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and regional network of experts of civil society organizations which in addition to the BCSP (Serbia), consists of the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (Albania), Centre for Security Studies (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Centre for Peace Studies ( Croatia), Independent research centre – Analytics (Macedonia) and Institute Alternative (Montenegro) conducted an initial analysis of the situation of civilian capacities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia. The research results were presented in an academic journal in English, Journal of Regional Security, Vol 9, No 2 (2014).

“The Western Balkan countries continuously contribute to the missions and operations of the UN, NATO, OSCE and EU sending professional soldiers, officers and police officers. However, there is the political will of the countries in the region to increase its involvement in missions not only by sending troops and police, but also by sending civilians in peacekeeping missions. Awareness of the importance of building civil capacity has increased significantly in recent years among the Western Balkan countries, and especially during the migrant crisis. There is an increasing demand of international organizations for special civil capacity and knowledge in light of new security threats, such as integrated management of borders, crisis management, expertise in the field of forensic medicine, the war crimes trial, money laundering and terrorism financing, etc.. State officials, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, have expressed interest to build the civilian capacities for deployment in international missions in an orderly and coordinated manner, “said BCSP researcher and project coordinator Maja Bjelos.

In addition, two study visits to the peacekeeping mission in Cyprus were implemented (May 2015 and April 2016), as well as several regional meetings and inter departmental meetings with representatives of the state administration. Over twenty different state institutions, in six countries, were involved in all the activities. Some of the institutions that have participated are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of security, justice, finance, health, agriculture and others.

All in all, this project has contributed significantly to improving knowledge of the Western Balkan countries on the civilian capacity in peacekeeping missions, as well as creating a significant networks across the region, which include state institutions and civil society. The project supported the creation of a regional approach to the issue and ensured the continuous dialogue among experts from civil society and state institutions, as well as a number of other actors who have recognized the importance of the topic of civilian capacities in peacekeeping missions.

In the future BCSP plans to strengthen the existing capacities of the Serbian Government Working Group for Chapter 31 and the Expert Team of the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to build a system of selection, training and sending civilians in peacekeeping missions.

For any additional questions regarding the project, and the research findings can contact BCSP researcher Maja Bjelos, telephone number +381 (0) 646 479 104 or e-mail maja.bjelos@bezbednost.org.

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During the project following publications were published:

 

For more information on implemented activities:

 

 

Tags: ..., capacities, capacity, civil, civilian, countries, foreign, missions, operations, peace, peacekeeping, policy, potential, project, security, state, study

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