Description:
This project supports the work of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). This unit plays a central role in the United Nations (UN) efforts to prevent violent conflict and build sustainable peace worldwide. This project works to help ensure the meaningful participation of women, youth, Indigenous peoples and marginalized groups in political processes, conflict prevention and mediation. It also focuses on applying gender perspectives throughout political and conflict analyses. Project activities include: (1) conducting action-oriented, gender-sensitive, multidimensional analysis to inform DPPA's assistance; (2) supporting 34 Special Political Missions that engage in preventive efforts, support complex transitions and help sustain peace; (3) supporting the efforts of Special Envoys to resolve a wide range of disputes, facilitate peace talks and manage electoral crises; (4) supporting Regional Offices that are well-placed to address cross-boundary issues, such as transnational organized crime and sharing of natural resources; (5) supporting the deployment and services of the Mediation Support Unit and the Standby Team of Mediation Advisors; (6) supporting the coordination roles of the Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams, who are on the frontline of the UN's prevention and sustaining peace efforts in non-mission settings; (7) increasing women's participation in peacemaking, peacebuilding and sustaining peace through dedicated funding devoted to Women, Peace and Security-projects that promote gender equality and women's empowerment as their principal objective; (8) building the capacity of regional and sub-regional organizations in conflict prevention, mediation, gender and electoral affairs; (9) supporting constitutional crises and assisting state actors in addressing constitutional changes in implementing peace agreements; and (10) facilitating the assembly of a broad range of stakeholders to advance peace and security.
Program Purpose:
The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs) is an integral component of the Government of Canada’s toolbox to prevent and respond to conflicts and crises abroad. It supports rapid, effective, whole-of-government coordinated responses to a wide range of challenges and serves as a valuable instrument for supporting stability in conflict-affected regions. PSOPs provides visible and concrete assistance in response to conflicts and crises abroad through targeted programming, the deployment of Canadian police officers (in partnership with Public Safety Canada and the RCMP) and civilian personnel, and direct support to the UN and multilateral peace operations, conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding efforts.