Population protection has become an increasingly critical element for the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations undertaking peacemaking, crisis response, and post-conflict stabilization. People displaced by natural disasters, violent conflict, or ethnic tensions create a growing challenge as international actors attempt to coordinate with national authorities and the expanding scope of independent nongovernmental organizations.

Recent reform efforts have sought to enhance the funding, response capacity and staff of the United Nations' international relief operations. Officials are also looking beyond saving lives to promoting long-term security bolstered by sustainable peace and human rights. Can international organizations effectively fulfill the responsibility to protect vulnerable populations? How will international crisis management evolve? Together, Jan Egeland and Soren Jessen-Petersen will draw on more than sixty years of combined experience to explore the recent history and possible future of international crisis response.

Archived Audio

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Speakers

• Jan Egeland
  Director General of the Norwegian Foreign Affairs Institute and Former Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
• Soren Jessen-Petersen
  Guest Scholar, U.S. Institute of Peace and Washington Representative of Independent Diplomat
• Daniel Serwer, Moderator
  Vice President, Post-Conflict Peace and Stability Operations, U.S. Institute of Peace