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PROTECTING PEOPLE WITH TECHNOLOGY : Modernizing Peace Operations

Exploring the use of technology in UN peace operations to save lives, protect vulnerable populations, and enhance monitoring capabilities. Examples include UAVs, sensors, and social media. Challenges and recommendations for improved implementation discussed.

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PROTECTING PEOPLE WITH TECHNOLOGY : Modernizing Peace Operations

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  1. PROTECTING PEOPLE WITH TECHNOLOGY:Modernizing Peace Operations Dr. Walter Dorn Canadian Forces College & Royal Military College of Canada 29 May 2013

  2. “Concern for man himself and his fate [humanity and its fate] should be the chief interest of all technical endeavors. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations.” – Albert Einstein

  3. UN Peace Operations • Save lives and alleviate suffering • Protect the vulnerable by monitoring & action Concern of humanity for humanity May 29

  4. Original vision … “The League of Nations … should be the eye of the nations to keep watch upon the common interest, an eye that does not slumber, an eye that is everywhere watchful and attentive.” – Woodrow Wilson, Paris, 1919

  5. Peacekeeping • The human Eye ... sometimes aided by binoculars

  6. Monitoring Mandates • Cease-fires and peace agreements • Early warning and confidence-building, supervision • Armed groups, violators and spoilers • Protected areas and persons (POC) • Elections • Human rights • Sanctions, borders, resource exploitation • Safety & security of UN personnel (dilemma) • “A MONITORING GAP”

  7. Problems of Unaided Monitoring Limited capabilities ... • over large areas • at night • for underground detection • in remote/difficult terrain • information recording, analyzing, sharing and storage

  8. Monitoring Technology Increases range and accuracy of observation Permits continuous monitoring Increases effectiveness (including cost-effectiveness in some cases) Decreases intrusiveness Enhances safety of staff in field Provides recordings/evidence

  9. W.Dorn

  10. How hasthe UN used technology?How couldthe UN use technology?

  11. Examples ….

  12. Satellite imagery

  13. UAVs American Israeli Japanese No UN UAVs yet …. Canadian Australian

  14. EUFOR UAV Support to MONUC (2006) • B-Hunter • Belgian contribution • DRC (2006) 300 flight hrs

  15. Congolese Arms race President Kabila vsVice-President Bemba Tanks shipped by rail Dugout canoes filled with small arms across Congo River

  16. Kinshasa, 20-22 August 2006

  17. Useful imagery Operational problems • 1 shot down • 1 crashed causing fatalities on ground • Info-sharing EUFOR/UN Political problems • Host-state info demands

  18. UN Procurement of UAVs … Unmanned Aerial Imaging Systems (UAIS) DRC: 2007; 2009 EOI: January 2013 Political leadership Modest system Manage expectations Recommendations: different types

  19. Commercial progress (drone demo) Quadricopter drone • Cameras: forward (HD) and downward • Wireless –tablet/smartphone • Altimeter (ultrasound), accelerometer, magnetometer, pressure sensor • Gyroscopic stabilizers • Automated takeoff & landing

  20. Aerostats Tethered balloons Compartmentalized Inexpensive Surveillance payload

  21. Night Vision

  22. Thermal Imaging www.imaging1.com

  23. Radars Aerial Underground Ground

  24. Airborne Sea-based

  25. Ground Sensors Acoustic and seismic Sinai Field Mission (SFM) Commercial systems (Source: www.cmc.sandia.gov)

  26. Video Cameras 2006 Nepal Comprehensive Peace Agreement Webcams in conflict areas?

  27. Electronic Eyes on the Green Line (UNFICYP) Cost comparison: 10x cheaper (first year), 100x (subsequent)

  28. Multisensor Systems • Reconnaissance vehicles • Mobile • Extendible mast • GSR • Low light TV • IR sensors • Laser range finder

  29. Canadian Coyotes in Ethiopia-Eritrea • Secure checkpoints • Temporary Security Zone • Night observation CF Combat Camera, ISD01-0030a, Bernier, 4, 2001

  30. Carlog www.e-drivetech.com

  31. “Public Peacekeeping” • Social media & crowdsourcing • Info gathering & dissemination • Crisis mapping

  32. Protection of Civilians (POC) • Early warning and rapid response • Prevention, enforcement, criminal evidence Solar-powered motion-activated illuminators Amazon.com Mi-35 helicopter with FLIR and rockets Reuters/L.Gnago

  33. Problems & Challenges • Operational • E.g., bandwidth • Political • Information power • Legal • Sovereignty • Ethical • Privacy • Manipulation & misuse

  34. Conclusions 1. No technological fix … but technology can be of immense value in monitoring, preventing and mitigating conflict, in protecting people. 2. Technical monitoring can increase the safety and security of peacekeepers as well as the effectiveness of the mission.

  35. 3. UN lacks the equipment, resources, preparation/training needed for effective and efficient use of modernmonitoring technology • some monitoring technologies in some missions but ad hoc and unsystematic • radars • NVE (Gen 2+) • no thermal imagers, seismic or acoustic ground sensors (as mission assets) • absence of policies & doctrine (until 2012) • absence of SOPs and training materials • need to re-engage capable contributors

  36. 4. UN iscapable of incorporating advanced technologies • Communications and information technology • Carlog • GIS progress • Commercial satellite imagery • Aerial recce in DRC

  37. 5. Technology is advancing Cheaper More capable More widespread in the market Peace and protection are lagging …

  38. Monitoring technologies not yet “tools of the trade,” but they can and should be.

  39. IF THIS TECHNOLOGY-AIDED PRESENTATION DIDN’T WORK …FORGET EVERYTHING I SAID

  40. Source: W.Dorn

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