Abstract/Summary

As the United Nations (UN)’s efforts to keep the peace constantly evolve, those working in and researching UN missions must regularly ask, ‘What should the future of UN peace operations look like’? In a process of continual learning and innovation, the UN has shifted both the activities and key priorities of UN peacekeepers over the decades, notably with the introduction of the protection of civilians (PoC) mandates in the 2000s. From small missions that observe well-established ceasefires to large multidimensional missions that implement broad peacebuilding mandates, future missions could take many forms as conflict evolves.