In the presentation, you choose one UN peace mission and explain how it started, what problems and issues it encountered and how the mission evolved. As the duration of missions differs between cases, you need to adjust the focus and explain how the political circumstances have shaped the conflict in question as well as the international reaction: For example, superpower involvement during the Cold War was a decisive factors for conflict dynamics, and also for the potential for conflict resolution/management. Take note of political changes, e.g. as the political situation may differ towards the end of the mission as compared to its inception. Describe the dynamics under which conflicts are developing, and how this influences an international mission. Also, describe and analyse which countries are politically involved not only in the conflict itself but also which ones are particularly engaged in resolving or managing the conflict, and why.

The presentation should make use of the literature on peace you have read, information you get from the UN and its sub-organisation as well as scholarly and policy literature (books and journal articles in particular). At the end of the presentation, you should give a clear and qualified judgement whether a mission was successful or less successful, and what influenced success or failure.

In the presentation you should:

trace the historical development of a mission and the political situation it unfolds in
identify the main contestations the mission encountered (including a statement on how the missions' practices changed)
provide a qualified assessment of the mission as a whole.

Note that the assignment also includes a written report (due 17th February, 18.00). The written report should include:

the main points of your oral presentation, including a copy of the slides you used in your presentation
some of the background research you have done in preparation of the presentation, including a complete bibliography of the sources on which your presentation was based
Three recommendations / lessons learned from the UN mission you chose to analyse, that would be relevant to a future peacekeeping operation either in that country or elsewhere. Each recommendation should be supported by relevant evidence and be justified, rather than only be based on personal opinions.

In addition, you need to list who is in your group and what each person has contributed to the group work (see assignments).