UN Peacekeeping has recently experienced a number of “firsts” – the return of Europe to peacekeeping in Africa after two decades, an increase in intelligence capabilities in PK missions, the utilization of UAVs, the deployment of a UN ‘offensive’ combat force, and the opening of UN bases to protect civilians. Missions have also suffered from sexual exploitation and benefited from all-female police units. This Sampler provides Lessons on these topics in light of the June 2015 HIPPO Report. Read more...

This publication presents a selection of lessons on “Building Stable Governance” – with examples from Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, and other areas. Lessons discuss local understanding, local ownership, security, conflict resolution, decentralization, public servants, state-citizen relations, and ‘steady state’ sustainment. This compendium offers an extensive bibliography and several annexes on governance-related topics. Read more...

This SOLLIMS Sampler spotlights the criticality of Investing in Training for, and during, Peace and Stability Operations. Along with a selection of thought-provoking lessons, this Sampler provides an extensive list of references/ documents/links (see pages 41-42) that can serve as a “toolkit” for trainers, planners, and practitioners. Read more...

This edition covers the following Stabilization and Transition topics: Governance, Security, Economic Stabilization, Infrastructure, Rule of Law, FHA / HADR, and Interagency. In this issue, our PKSOI Stability sector experts provide their analysis and thoughts on the submitted lessons. Contact info is provided to continue the dialogue. Read more...

This publication showcases the value of Strategic Communication / Messaging in Peace and Stability Operations – with lessons from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and the Philippines. This product also offers an extensive list of references/reports/articles that can serve as a “toolkit” for leaders, planners, and practitioners. Read more...

This SOLLIMS Sampler [Special Edition] comes at a critical moment as global forcible displacement reaches an all-time high, surpassing levels post-WWII, and as violent conflicts driving displacement continue without abate, echoing in war-ravaged Aleppo. While Refugees & Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) often result from conflict, if the needs of both displaced people and host communities are not addressed, displacement itself may produce further instability. This publication specifically examines lessons from Syria’s ongoing refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe, drawing on insights from prior situations of displacement to inform response to current crises. Read more...

This Sampler features lessons from a Civil Affairs (CA) perspective. It first showcases challenges for the integration of civil considerations into military culture and then highlights lessons from recent/ongoing exercises and operations, many of which draw upon personal experiences of CA personnel working with interagency and international partners in the context of disaster relief, medical partnership, and displacement. Read more...

This publication provides lessons on 6 leadership topics – moral and ethical decisions critical to operational success, understanding decisive change, preparation and repetition, knowledge management, coalition partner leadership, and junior leader development – all of which are topics of the 10th International Lessons Learned Conference Read more...

In complex conflict systems, it can be challenging to measure the progress of initiatives intended to gain peace and stability. Lessons in this Sampler focus on the importance of Monitoring & Evaluation for Peace and Stability, examining best practices and providing diverse examples of M&E from a variety of military and civilian initiatives in conflict environments across the globe. Read more...

Peacebuilding efforts cannot succeed without the ownership of local stakeholders, but local perspectives are at times obscured at international/national levels. As such, this Sampler emphasizes the importance of consulting local communities to build sustainable peace. Lessons focus on practical methods to work inclusively with local communities and institutions around the world, demonstrating a variety of effective tools and techniques to prevent and transform violent conflict. Read more...