Introduction

The purposes of the seminar were to share information and to exchange experiences as they relate to the future multilateral, multifunctional, strategic/operational level peace operations within a complex contingency operation. Participants gained insight into the broadest issues that will affect the military and other components within future missions and that are of particular importance and relevance to capacity building in the Asia-Pacific Region.  Issues were examined in relation to all the mandated components of an operation and in particular the impact on humanitarian operations, planning, cooperation and coordination.

Specific seminar objectives were to:

• Identify emerging issues that will impact future peace operations;
• Develop an appreciation of the issues affecting the integration of components within modern complex contingencies;
• Create an atmosphere for participants to exchange information supported by Subject Matter Experts;
• Generate future strategies for national and regional use;
• Enhance interactions and understanding across potential participating nations, responding civilian agencies and the military in future peace operations;
• Understand and explore future strategic / operational-level issues associated with the role of the military in peace operations;
• Enhance national and regional inter-agency coordination and cooperation.

The seminar was a 4 1/2-day unclassified interactive discussion based on expert presentations and discussion challenges. The discussions were structured into three separate topics. Each topic was further divided into a short reading, followed by a working group session, and a concluding plenary. The working groups were integrated, with humanitarian, military, police and civilian representation of 12-15 participants each, with expert facilitators and co-facilitators managing the discussions. Plenary sessions included group out-briefs to role-playing UN Mission leadership, followed by open discussions.  Participants were asked to examine the three topics for their national and/or regional impacts.

Topic 1: New/Evolved Military Tasks. Topic 1 explores the changing environment through the examination of the international interventions and identifies the significant new or evolved military tasks.

Topic 2: Military Transitions. Topic 2 identifies new or evolved aspects of military transitions in relation to achieving mission success and the components that are required to achieve it.

Topic 3: Military Leadership/Management. Topic 3 examines the current environment and ascertains the key challenges to providing effective leadership/management in future peace operations.

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