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This paper reviews the history of development assistance to Rwanda since the genocide of 1994 in the light of the lessons learnt from the pre-war experience. The study highlights the continued lack of analysis and understanding among donors of the impact of development assistance on structural causes of conflict. Where analysis exists, it is rarely linked to aid allocation decisions, and where actions are taken in this direction, they are rarely consistent across donors. The paper argues that the United Nations could play a role in bridging the gap between development and conflict prevention by extending some key political monitoring functions currently carried out as part of peacekeeping missions to post-conflict and fragile states that are not currently in crisis. Adapted from the source document.

This article analyses the devastating ethnic 'riots' in Kosovo in March 2004. By focusing on the response of the Swedish military, it concludes that peacekeepers must be more adequately prepared to counter the types of crises that arise in countries emerging from conflict. In particular, units must cultivate readiness for worst-case scenarios and train to curb violence involving large numbers of civilians. Adapted from the source document.

Changes in the nature of war in the course of the last century are thrusting young people inevitably into more intimate relationships with conflict. This article builds on a critical approach to the issues of young people living in conflict zones which promotes their agency in conflict transformation and peacebuilding. 'Participation' is explored in the context of conflict transformation theory and is linked with child rights-based approaches to development. Examples of young people's contributions to peacebuilding in several parts of the world are shared demonstrating their political and social capacities. The article concludes that there is a need to understand how young people perceive conflict and what drives some to become involved in violent conflict when others choose non-violence. It is argued that it is necessary to seek non-violent ways for young people to impact conditions that lead to, and out of conflict. This will require young people's empowerment. Development actors can look to models of conflict transformation and peacebuilding to better understand how to promote inclusion of young people in peace processes and their more constructive engagement with conflict. Adapted from the source document.

United Nations sources are drawn on to examine the progress of peacekeeping missions underway Jan-Mar 2006. Addressed first is the situation in Darfur, Sudan, where thousands have been killed, injured, & displaced by government forces, militia, & insurgent tribal groups. The African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), its military & civilian personnel numbering almost 7,000 in Darfur in Mar 2006, has achieved limited security in some areas. AMIS has focused on protection in the refugee camps. No lasting resolution is in sight. The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) has focused on the goals set out in Security Council resolution 1546 (2004): to maintain political, electoral, & constitutional activities; & to engage in reconstruction, development, & human rights activities. UNAMI's most recent report stressed concern over human rights abuses in light of the heavy casualties suffered by Iraqi civilians at the hands of terrorist, insurgent, & paramilitary groups. It is working in conjunction with the Multinational Forces to train Iraqi security forces. J. Stanton

By applying a social constructivist perspective this article investigates whether the preventive peacekeeping mission to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia contributed to altering or sustaining norms of international peacekeeping. In addition, the article is concerned with if & how the UN mission UNPREDEP functioned as a channel of diffusion of international norms pertaining to peaceful conflict resolution to Macedonia. The article suggests that UNPREDEP provided the international community with an opportunity for norm diffusion. Furthermore, by allowing the emerging norm of conflict prevention to guide peacekeeping efforts in Macedonia, the norm was strengthened & the ambitions to promote the norm globally, as well as locally, were supported. Adapted from the source document.

CHINA'S POSITION ON UN PEACEKEEPING HAS SEEN FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN THE LAST 45 YEARS. BITTER CONDEMNATION IN THE 1950S AND THE 1960S HAS EVOLVED INTO ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE 1980S AND THE 1990S. THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THE PROCESS OF EVOLUTION AND ITS LIMITATIONS. IT ARGUES THAT CHINA HAS EVENTUALLY OPTED TO ACCEPT PEACEKEEPING AS A FUNCTION OF THE UNIVERSAL VALUES INHERENT IN THE UN. CHINA'S ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH VALUES BEST ILLUSTRATES ITS PERCEPTION OF THE CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL ORDER AND ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT ORDER. SUCH ACCEPTANCE CONTRIBUTES TO THE EMERGENCE OF WHAT THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL OBSERVED AS THE "GREATER UNITY" AND "COLLEGIALITY" OF THE PERMANENT SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, WHICH IS AN INDISPENSABLE CONDITION THAT GIVES A BETTER CHANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE AN SECURITY IN THE POST-COLD WAR ERA.

DUE TO THE CONFLICT WITH CERTAIN SOMALI FACTIONS AT THE OUTSET, THE UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SOMALIA II WAS NOT ABLE TO FULFILL ITS PEACEBUILDING OBJECTIVES. THIS ARTICLE ARGUES THAT RECONCILIATION AND PEACE ARE PREREQUISITES FOR THESE EFFORTS AND THAT DISARMAMENT IS AN INDISPENSABLE FIRST STEP TO LONGER-TERM PEACE. CONVERSELY, IT FURTHER ARGUES THAT PEACEBUILDING IS A SINE QUA NON FOR A MISSION WHICH AIMS TO ESTABLISH A LONG-LASTING PEACE IN A WAR-DEVASTATED COUNTRY. FINALLY, THE ARTICLE ARGUES THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST BE PREPARED TO COMMIT ITSELF FULLY FINANCIALLY SINCE PEACEKEEPING IS EXPENSIVE.