International organisations in global politics Essay

International organisations in global politics - Essay Example This essay discusses how the UN peacekeeping organisations have prevented conflict in the past and whether these strategies need change or improvement. The paper discusses the social, political and economic contexts with in which a successful UN peace-keeping mission can be carried out to avoid armed conflictUN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to life, often after decades of conflict. The blue helmets and their civilian colleagues work together to organize elections, enact police and judicial reform, promote and protect human rights, conduct mine-clearance, advance gender equality, achieve the voluntary disarmament of former combatants, and support the return of refugees and displaced people to their homes." Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace."1The functions of such missions are to monitor and maintain peace processes in war torn areas and help promote post war rebuilding and the enforcement of peace agreements.The post Cold war Era has seen an increase within international peace and security operations, to maintain peace within the international system ,restrict armed conflict and promote rehabilitation of war torn countries.The UN Charter empowers the UN Security Council to take collective action and to authorize peacekeeping operations' initiates and maintains most of these operations. Academics have often had been sceptic at effectiveness and success of peacekeeping missions with areas affected by civil war and armed conflict. Today the UN peacekeepers (the blue helmets) are deployed in war torn locations around the world. According to recent statistics; "As of January 1, 2004, 13 "blue helmet" missions still exist. With the full deployment of the 15,000-member Liberian stabilization force, the total number of UN peacekeepers will be just under 50,000, the biggest total since the early 1990s and an increase of some 6,000 from the same period in 2003. Actual deployed strength at the start of the year stands at 45,815 troops, military observers, and civilian police from 91 countries. They are supported by 3,241 international civilians and 6,497 local civilians. The U.S. contribution is 518 spread to seven missions-494 civilian police, 22 military observers, and two "troops" with the new Liberia peacekeeping mission. In addition, there are 12 political and peace building missions. Many observers expect that 2004 will see three new peacekeeping deployments, all in Africa: Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burundi".2 The chart portrays the number of UN missions at the end of each year since 1989. The table lists the 13 ongoing UN peacekeeping operations as of January 1, 2004. 3 Figure I: UN Peacekeeping Operations (The figure for each year is the number of operations at the end of that year. The numbers on the left indicate the number of missions.) After the end of the Cold War the international community and the UN have moved beyond the notions and practices of "traditional peacekeeping" and their presence is more and more pronounced with in civil conflicts, monitoring .They are also involved in the management and operation of peace. The UN Charter empowers the United Nations Secretary-General to dispatch personal representatives or create "offices" or missions to advise and promote good governance and national or regional stability. The deployment of "blue helmets" can be led by an experienced military commander; 4for one of the following functions