Finnish Defence Forces International Centre (FDFIC), SUSANNE ÅDAHL - Varying Cultures in Modern Crisis Management - 2009

This publication, containing 11 short articles, looks at cultural awareness of military intervention as a vital component of crisis management and a mission’s success. Peacekeeping has evolved into today’s complex and integrated crisis management. From the deployed force being an interposition force between parties who had a ceasefire or peace agreement sponsored by the two military powers of the cold war, the role of the deployed force has become an establisher of a safe and secure environment for other stakeholders to fulfill their tasks in nation building. This may involve military activities from peacekeeping to peace enforcement. Thereby, the interaction between the force and the indigenous population of the area of operations has increased, as has the interaction with other nonmilitary stakeholders. The need for understanding the cultures of both the local population and the other stakeholders has increased to the point where it may be vital to a mission’s success.