Peacekeeping Africa 2010

Topics covered include:

Peace support operations

• The evolution of peacekeeping and peace support operations 
• The role of civilian police 
• Health challenges of the peacekeeper in Africa

Force preparation

• Facing the challenges of force preparation and external deployment
• An overview of how British forces prepare for peacekeeping operations
• Force preparation in Sudan: United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)

Peacekeeping logistics and armoured vehicles

• A new perspective to manage logistics as the major constraint to force preparation and mobilisation
• Logistics interoperability and operational efficiency in African multinational operations
• The role of armoured vehicles in peace support operations
• Can the African Union cope with the logistics challenges

Financing for peacekeeping operations

• Finance options and budgetary constraints for peacekeeping missions

Peacekeeping legalities

• The Montreux Document: Legal obligations and good practices
• Conflict analysis in Africa

Since the Paramount Group was formed in 1994 it has played a key role in peacekeeping missions in Africa and around the world by collaborating with selected partners to provide highly-advanced equipment and support which has facilitated such missions and also ensured the safety of soldiers involved.

For instance, Paramount’s internal merchant banking capacity raises and provides finance, allowing developing countries to buy equipment and spread the burden of repayment over several budgetary cycles.

Paramount has also developed a new model for defence manufacturing – the innovative design of a range of armour protected vehicles allows for portable production forming the basis of partnerships with countries such as India, Jordan and Azerbaijan where new production facilities have been established.

The level of training that Paramount provides also goes beyond the scope of traditional defence companies, not only do they train military personnel and technicians but police forces, internal security and prison services thereby helping developing countries to create local jobs, provide new skills and support technology transfer through training programmes.

Africa remains the single largest destination for United Nations peacekeepers and is host to the two largest missions currently deployed – the UN’s mission in DR Congo and UN’s operation in Sudan's troubled Darfur. At least half the world's peacekeepers are currently deployed in Africa.

‘Peacekeeping Africa 2010’ will offer an excellent opportunity for informed debate and education around these key topics and is an important platform for tackling the challenges which face peacekeeping and security.