Washington, D.C. - Delegates at a preparatory conference for the 2023 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial in the United States stressed the urgent need for a robust approach to addressing information challenges within peacekeeping missions.
The two-day conference, held on October 23-24, 2023 in Washington, D.C., brought together a diverse group of participants, including government officials, international peacekeeping and peacebuilding experts, civil society organizations, academia, think tanks, and senior representatives from the United Nations, regional organizations, and military and civilian sectors from the United States and beyond.
During the conference, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted the critical timing of the event, as peacekeeping missions worldwide confront substantial challenges in their deployments. "These challenges are particularly acute with respect to the core task of protecting civilians in a context where disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech are being propagated faster than ever through social media platforms," he said.
Multidimensional peacekeeping missions face increasing challenges from armed groups involved in peace disruption, war economies, sexual violence, organized crime, and drug trafficking, Austin added. He said that no peacekeeping mission is immune to these threats, making it vital to manage the expectations of local populations and use technology effectively to counter false narratives and shape perceptions of UN Missions.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix called for comprehensive communication strategies aligned with political and security priorities, emphasizing the need for a robust approach to address information-related challenges across all mission components.
The UN Peacekeeping Ministerial serves as a crucial opportunity for member states to collaborate in strengthening the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations and their impact on the communities they serve. The 2023 Peacekeeping Ministerial is scheduled to be hosted by the United States in Washington, D.C. on December 5-6. The preparatory conference was a collaborative effort organized by the United States, Indonesia, Britain, and the Netherlands.
Here are some specific details on how the United States can support stronger information handling in peacekeeping missions:
- Provide financial and technical assistance to peacekeeping missions to develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies. This could include funding for the hiring of communication specialists, the development of training programs, and the purchase of equipment and software.
- Work with peacekeeping missions to develop and implement capacity building programs for information handling. This could include training on topics such as media relations, social media management, and countering disinformation and misinformation.
- Share information and best practices with peacekeeping missions on information handling. This could be done through formal and informal channels, such as bilateral meetings, workshops, and online forums.
- Support the development of new technologies and tools to help peacekeeping missions with information handling. This could include funding for research and development, as well as the pr miocurement of new technologies.
- Promote awareness of the importance of information handling in peacekeeping missions among key stakeholders, including the media, civil society, and the general public. This could be done through public diplomacy efforts, educational campaigns, and other outreach activities.
By taking these steps, the United States can help peacekeeping missions to better address the information challenges they face and to more effectively protect civilians and promote peace and security a
round the world.
