Columbia International Affairs Online
CIAO DATE: 4/5/2008
Multidimensional and Integrated Peace Operations
January 2008
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Abstract
Despite major institutional differences regarding mandate, roles and membership, the UN, the EU and NATO all face common security challenges and operate together in several theatres throughout the world. There is now broad consensus that today’s security challenges can be most effectively addressed through an integrated approach. This has led to a process where the organisations have acknowledged the necessity and efficiency of cooperation within and with each other. In turn, international and regional organisations such as the UN, NATO, the EU and the AU, all have developed integration approaches. These include models and concepts such as NATO’s ‘the comprehensive approach’ and ‘Effects-based Approach to Operations (EBAO)’, ‘whole-of-government’ approaches, and the UN’s ‘integrated missions’ concept.
The Norwegian Ministry of Defence organized the sixth in a series of regional seminars on trends and challenges related to UN multidimensional and integrated peace operations in Brussels 5 October 2007. The purpose of the one-day seminar Multidimensional and Integrated Peace Operations: Trends and Challenges – Common challenges, different institutional frameworks: The UN, EU and NATO, was to gather a range of stakeholders to discuss the perspectives and approaches to multidimensional and integrated peace operations. This report reflects the main discussions and findings of the seminar.
