Workshop: Improving the Environmental and Social Performance of Military and Civilian Actors Operating in the Same Area

Oct 15, 2014 | FOI, Swedish Defence Research Agency
Stockholm, Sweden

Background: Peace-support and crises management operations play a fundamental role in stabilizing conflict-affected regions as well as bringing relief to affected populations. It is further predicted that military and security forces may be asked to more frequently address the challenges of humanitarian disasters.1 However, such operations have inevitable environmental and social impacts on the surrounding communities2,3 In addition environmental issues are more frequently acknowledged as contributors to conflict and crises.4

As Sweden like many PfP and NATO nations are determined to more closely link foreign, development, security and defence policies, the prospects of peace, security, democracy and development in the world, are assumed to consequently improve. "Comprehensive approach" and "Civilian and military cooperation" are "buzz words" that are promoted. Reality is that too little effective coordination takes place and information tends only to be shared sparsely and, even less often, systematically. In addition, there is often an aggregate social and environmental footprint caused, when refugees, local population, humanitarian agencies and peacekeepers are situated with base camps and activities at the same place, placing an unsustainable strain on an often fragile environment (e.g. water scarce region). This impact needs to be addressed effectively and better coordinated in order to enable the missions, support the affected populations and support the desired mission end state.

Expected Outcome: Workshop builds upon the GreenHumanitarian Network Initiative, see http://greenhumanitarians.com/. It intends to further develop the action framework proposed by the Green Humanitarian Network for improving military and civilian information sharing/best practices for addressing the environmental and social impact of military and civilian operations in conflict and crises affected regions.

Activity Type: A 1,5 day workshop with scenario play/ table top exercises (TTE)

Remarks: The objective is improve information exchange and joint best practices of Military (e.g. Swedish Armed Forces, NATO, EU etc), Peacekeeping (e.g. UN DPKO/DFS) and Civilian actors (UNOCHA; UNDP, UNEP, MSB, Folke Bernadotte Academy, Sida, ICRC/Red Crescent, USAID, DFID, ECHO, etc) and business operating in conflict/crises areas.

Requirements on Participants: Active participation required (Chatham house rules apply). Participants should preferably have personal experience with planning or executing military or civilian crises management operations. Language requirements: English

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