Presenter urges mandates adapted to modern conflicts with built-in civilian protection

Presenter (speaker 1) said mandates must be "focused on what peacekeeping missions do best," especially politics, security and, when mandated, the protection of civilians. He urged that protection be built into mission design from the outset and that renewal debates be treated as opportunities to adapt mandates.

"Protection [should be] built into mission's mandate from the outset and how they are planned, mandated and resourced so that when civilians are threatened, peacekeepers can act decisively," Presenter (speaker 1) said, adding that an exit strategy should also be planned at the start of any mission.

He recommended that the Secretariat provide frank assessments about what is working, propose changes and advise when missions should be reconfigured or removed.