Course Description: Principles of Peacekeeping
Course Code: UNAANSW101
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: UNAANSW010 – Introduction to UN Peace and Security
Target Audience
This course is designed for:
• Professionals interested in global affairs and international cooperation
• Corporate and organisational leaders seeking a better understanding of global governance
• Students studying international relations, politics, or global development
• Individuals with an interest in the United Nations and how peacekeeping missions operate in practice
• People seeking a foundational understanding of the principles and legal framework that guide UN peacekeeping
• Participants who want to better understand what makes peacekeeping missions effective, legitimate and credible
A basic understanding of the United Nations is assumed, and participants on this course should have attended the UN Training course “Introduction to UN Peace and Security”.
Course Overview
United Nations peacekeeping is one of the UN’s most distinctive tools for maintaining international peace and security. While peacekeeping missions vary widely in size, scope and context, they are all guided by a set of core principles that shape how they are authorised, deployed and conducted.
This session introduces participants to the basic principles of UN peacekeeping: consent of the parties, impartiality, and the non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate. It also explores the additional factors that influence peacekeeping success, including legitimacy, credibility, and the promotion of national and local ownership.
The course examines why these principles matter in practice, how they affect mission behaviour in the field, and how they help distinguish peacekeeping from other forms of international intervention. Participants will also gain an introduction to the legal framework that underpins peacekeeping operations, including the UN Charter, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, mission mandates, and mission-specific rules governing the use of force.
By the end of the session, participants will have a clearer understanding of the foundations of UN peacekeeping and the practical and legal considerations that shape mission effectiveness.
Learning Goals
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
• Explain the basic principles of UN peacekeeping
• Describe the importance of consent, impartiality and restraint in the use of force
• Understand why legitimacy and credibility are essential to mission success
• Explain what national and local ownership mean in a peacekeeping context
• Identify the main legal sources that govern UN peacekeeping operations
• Understand how mission mandates and rules on the use of force guide peacekeeping personnel in practice.
Key Topics Covered
• The three basic principles of UN peacekeeping
• Consent of the parties and why it matters
• Impartiality and how it differs from neutrality or inaction
• Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate
• Legitimacy and credibility as success factors in peacekeeping
• The promotion of national and local ownership
• The importance of professionalism, conduct and community trust
• The legal framework for UN peacekeeping, including the UN Charter and international law
• Mission mandates, rules of engagement and directives on the use of force
• Practical examples of how peacekeeping principles apply in contemporary conflicts
Learning Outcomes
Participants will leave the session with:
• A sound understanding of the principles that underpin UN peacekeeping operations
• Greater awareness of the factors that support or undermine mission success
• A clearer understanding of how peacekeeping differs from peace enforcement or other forms of intervention
• Insight into the legal and operational framework that governs peacekeeping missions and personnel
• A stronger foundation for further study of UN peace operations and related international security issues