German UN ambassador introduces GPPi book on peace operations in Berlin

On October 25, GPPi Fellows Stephan Mergenthaler and Philipp Rotmann presented their 2011 book on UN peace operations during an event in Berlin with Ambassador Peter Wittig, permanent representative of Germany to the United Nations. Titled The New World of UN Peace Operations: Learning to Build Peace?, the book was published by Oxford University Press and written by Mergenthaler, Rotmann and GPPi associate director Thorsten Benner.

The event took place at the Landesvertretung Sachsen-Anhalt. The discussion reviewed the findings of the book in light of the current challenges of UN peace operations. Peace operations have become knowledge-based ventures. To what extent has the UN apparatus managed to turn itself into a learning organization? Where are the most persistent deficits? What are the lessons for the next generation of reforms – a ​“Peace Operations 2020” agenda – to be pursued by different stakeholders (UN bureaucracy, member states, the broader policy community)?

Michael Brzoska, chairman of the board at the German Foundation for Peace Research, opened the discussion. Mergenthaler and Rotmann briefly presented the book and Ambassador Wittig delivered the keynote address. Moderating the discussion was Beate Wagner, secretary general of the United Nations Association of Germany. In addition to commenting on the book, Ambassador Wittig discussed current challenges for peace and security in relation to the Arab Spring and the emerging principle of the Responsibility to Protect.