Peacekeeping in Canada’s Foreign Policy

Abstract

The article analyzes the role of peacekeeping activities in Canada’s foreign policy and the study of the Canadian approach to conflict resolution in the 20^th – 21^st centuries.

Since World War II, the Canadian government has regularly emphasized Canada’s commitment to protecting peace and freedom in the world, particularly through UN peacekeeping operations. Since the middle of the 20^th century, the Canadian government has successfully used diplomatic experience, military-technical potential, and high professionalism of the armed forces not only to maintain international peace and stability, but also to achieve Canada’s national interests.

The collapse of the bipolar system brought about changes in the world order and the balance of forces in the international arena, changing not only the nature, but also the methods of conducting conflicts. The gradual evolution of approaches to peacekeeping reflects the changing global and security challenges of modern conflicts. “Freedom from fear” became the main theme of the Human Security Agenda. It is an action-based peacebuilding strategy developed by former Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy. Its inclusion in Canada’s foreign policy was consistent with relevant international obligations and the duty to protect. Although peacekeeping remains a key focus of Canada’s activities abroad, the Canadian government is increasingly turning its attention to peacebuilding through economic and social support to conflict regions. A consequence of the modern approach to peacekeeping has been a decrease in the number of Canadian peacekeeping contingents in the world since the early 2000s.