Canadian peacekeeping: Proud tradition, strong future?

Abstract

Peacekeeping has a place of pride in the Canadian national identity. Canadians feel that their nation is a natural leader in this international endeavour. How is this national identity expressed, and how has it come about? Is it justified? An answer to these questions requires a probe of Canadian public and military attitudes, a historical review of Canada's peacekeeping activities, and an examination of current Canadian contributions. The final question is: What is needed if Canada is to live up to the image of the proud and prolific peacekeeper?

On associe fièrement l'identité nationale canadienne au maintien de la paix. Les Canadiens estiment que leur pays est un leader naturel dans cet effort international. Comment s'exprime ce sentiment et d'où vient‐il? Est‐il pleinement justifié? Pour répondre à ces questions, il faut examiner les attitudes publiques et militaires du Canada, les contributions passées du Canada au maintien de la paix et ses activités actuelles. Dernière question, évidemment: que faut‐il pour que le Canada soit à la hauteur de cette image d'artisan de paix fier et prolifique?

Notes

A. Walter Dorn is Associate Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and co‐chair of the Department of Security Studies at the Canadian Forces College. He has served as peacekeeping training advisor at UN headquarters in New York and as a UN electoral officer with the UN Mission in East Timor (1999). He also serves on the external faculty of the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre.