Hello Bloggers!
To kick-start my blog I thought of telling you all the purpose of my blog. As I am very interested in the United Nations Organisation and in global politics, I thought of creating a blog that would filter through UNO news and global political issues. I have dedicated a couple of my final year assignments to UNO issues and feel I have enough knowledge to blog about current matters. For one of my course units (Ethics), I decided to do my research report on 'UN's Reputation as a Peacekeeper'. I investigated one specific issue which was the 'Sex Scandal in the DR Congo' with reference to UN's issues/crisis management elements and media coverage. Are you aware of UN peacekeeping missions? Majority of the time it is not really covered in the media, however, when something 'big' occurs it does get decent media coverage. Eager to find out more about the peacekeeping scandal in the DR Congo and the effect it had on UN's reputation, I researched a lot.There were many media outlets such as the BBC, that felt strongly about the issue and reported how the UN covered up claims regarding rape of women and children in exchange for money. On the other side the UN was blaming the media of blowing things out of proportion and exaggerating to gain public attention. However, this was back in 2004, after 1 year in 2005, the UN admitted to the claims and implemented their new issues management scheme. Preventing the issue before it is an issue.
As part of the new scheme, the UN dedicated a unit to conduct and discipline (CDU), which is a pre-deployment training programme for peacekeepers. The programme runs to educate potential peacekeepers specifically on misconduct and sexual abuse. As well as that in 2008 the UN Secretary General Ban-Kimoon, addressed the sexual violence issue as a threat to international peace and security. Therefore the Security Council implemented the sexual exploitation and abuse policy under the resolution 1820. Both have been proven to be efficient in optimising professionalism and conducting missions in an ethical manner.
As part of the new scheme, the UN dedicated a unit to conduct and discipline (CDU), which is a pre-deployment training programme for peacekeepers. The programme runs to educate potential peacekeepers specifically on misconduct and sexual abuse. As well as that in 2008 the UN Secretary General Ban-Kimoon, addressed the sexual violence issue as a threat to international peace and security. Therefore the Security Council implemented the sexual exploitation and abuse policy under the resolution 1820. Both have been proven to be efficient in optimising professionalism and conducting missions in an ethical manner.
What are your thoughts on the UN peacekeeping mission in the DR Congo? Do you think the UN should have been transparent from the beginning? What would you recommend in terms of improving UN peacekeeping missions in the future?
Voice your opinions!
Voice your opinions!
8 comments:
When looking at UN Peacekeeping and my limited knowledge in the field, I still believe that they are an organisation who hold the trust of many, many people.
Regardless of whether these scandals are 100% factual or not, I feel they should have dealt with the situation with much more honesty and dignity. I think that they have lost the trust of many people and did not try their hardest to gain trust back but used thier status for their stability and security.
I do not know whether they should have been transparent, but they should have dealt with the situation alot more effectively. If they had dealt with it in the inital stage rather than three years later, they would have decreased speculation and negative press coverage which has had a knock on effect on their repuation.
I think that for such a "prestigous" and "trustworthy" organisation, they should not have taken three years to implement a new strategy/management.
I definately believe that transparent or not, they should have dealt with the situation at hand alot more effectively and faster, if they did they would not be open to extensive criticism.
I agree!
An organization especially like the UN should have dealt with those accusations from the beginning with honesty. If they had done so, they would not have damaged their image as much! It took them far too long to admit and deal with those problems….
I agree with the both of you!
A good issues management plan is vital for every organisation and should be ready for implementation when an issue arises. I think the UN should have been more proactive than reactive to the media claims. This would have been more effective crisis management
I believe so, governments should perhaps intervene more in peacekeeping missions.
These peacekeepers should be taken to court and punished. Such stories damage the credibility and the image of the UN. The UN needs to show that they are investigating such accusations way before the media get wind of it!
Yes they should have been more transparent and I think a good issues management scheme is not enough! The UN should also have a VERY strict mechanism to check and control their troops.
hi Sweeba just to let you know I am here!!!
Trevor
Thank you Christian! That really means a lot to me.. I will start writing again!
Cheers for the motivation!
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