Periodical

Conflict Trends Issue 2 2015

In ‘Contributing to Africa’s Peacekeeping Capacity: 20 Years of Training for Peace in Africa’ since the early 1990s, the focus of the United Nations’ (UN) peacemaking and peacekeeping efforts has largely been directed to Africa. In the beginning, these efforts were symbolic of the rest of the world coming to the aid of Africa. Over the last 20 years, however, Africa has developed significant capacity of its own, and today Africans make up the largest proportion of the UN’s civilian, police and military peace operation staff. ‘Development of Civilian Capacities for African Peace Support Operations: Contributions of the Training for Peace Programme’ highlights the work and achievements of the Training For Peace (TfP) Programme in the development of civilian capacities in the context of African peace support operations (PSOs). It also highlights some of the core challenges it has encountered in this endeavour and offers some recommendations to address these challenges. ‘From Research to Practice: Linking the Training for Peace Programme’s Research to Policy Development and Training in Peace Operations’ examines the diverse research undertaken by TfP partners in supporting policy processes and training for peace operations. It specifically looks at how TfP research over the years has impacted on policy development and training for peace operations in Africa. ‘Beyond Numbers: The Impact of TfP Training on Peacekeeping in Africa’ is a fact file included in the journal articles on the North, West, Central and Southern Africa. ‘Strengthening Policing in African Peace Operations: The Role of the Training for Peace Programme The Training for Peace Programme’s Contribution to Gender Mainstreaming in Africa’s Peace Operations’ reviews the shift towards increasing the continental PO responses in Africa, which has resulted in adapting training needs and organisational capacities and capabilities to prepare police personnel for deployment to PO (Peace Operations) missions. ‘The Training for Peace Programme’s Contribution to Gender Mainstreaming in Africa’s Peace Operations’ focuses on how TfP has contributed to the efforts of gender mainstreaming in Africa’s peace operations in conflict and post-conflict situations. It also highlights the opportunities for TfP to further strengthen gender mainstreaming in Africa’s peace operations. ‘Peace Operations Review and Implications for the Training for Peace Programme: Strengthening United Nations and African Union Operations in Africa’ reflects on the review of United Nations (UN) peace operations by the UN High-level Independent Panel, appointed by the UN Secretary-General in October 2014, and on its implications for Africa and the Training for Peace (TfP) in Africa Programme.