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Canada's traditional role as a peacekeeper is today being complemented by our leadership in responding to two of the most significant challenges we face in the post-cold war world: peacebuilding, or building sustainable peace in countries prone to recurring cycles of violence; and human security, or promoting the safety and security of people. Canada was one of the first countries to promote the concept of peacebuilding in 1996, when it launched the Canadian Peacebuilding Initiative. Because peacebuilding lies at the intersection of international security and development, the initiative is a joint undertaking of Foreign Affairs Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency. It has two objectives: to assist countries in conflict in their efforts toward peace and stability, and to promote Canadian capacity and participation in international peacebuilding initiatives. A key goal of the peacebuilding initiative is to improve co-ordination among international actors. This involves strengthening the UN's capacity to prevent conflict, to respond rapidly when conflict erupts and to provide for post-conflict reconstruction. Under the initiative, Canada has worked to improve UN capacity to respond to these challenges. Among other things, it has contributed to the UN Trust Fund for Preventive Action and the Trust Fund for Children and Armed Conflict, and has promoted strengthening the role of Special Representatives of the Secretary-General, and the conflict prevention capacity of regional organizations and the UN itself. Canada has also supported the UN Lessons Learned Unit's work to develop guidelines for demilitarization, demobilization and re-integration of combatants in post-conflict situations. At home, Canada has developed a national roster of Canadian civilians who are available on short notice to provide assistance and expertise to international peace support operations organized by the UN and regional organizations. Canada believes that promoting human security is an important dimension of the UN's role. One of the human security initiatives launched by Canada at the UN is our effort to enhance the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Under Canada's presidency in February 1999, the Security Council debated this issue and called on the Secretary-General to prepare a report. Issued in June 2001, the Report on the Prevention of armed conflict contains concrete recommendations for protecting civilians in conflict situations. Canada and other countries are now working toward implementation of the recommendations. For more information on Peacebuilding and Human Security, you can also consult the Responsibility to Protect web site.
Canadian Statements on Humanitarian, Human Security and Peacebuilding Issues
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