The former head of the UN Preventive Deployment Force in Macedonia (UNPREDEP), Henryk J. Sokalski has written an authoritative account of the United Nation's only effort to establish a peacekeeping mission before an outbreak of hostilities. In conjunction with the publication of An Ounce of Prevention (U.S. Institute of Peace Press, 2003), on November 12 the Institute hosted a panel discussion analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of preventive action. Recognizing UNPREDEP's unique status in the history of preventive diplomacy, the panel:

• Considered the lessons learned from UNPREDEP's mission in Macedonia for thinking about preventive action in other settings;
• Assessed the incentives and dilemmas that influence policymakers and donors when reviewing options for preventive action; and
• Examined the prospects for incorporating conflict prevention strategies into U.S. foreign policy, U.S. foreign assistance, and multilateral efforts in threatened countries.

Moderated by Balkans expert and Institute executive vice president Harriet Hentges, the presentations were followed by questions from the floor. A book signing by the author was held after the conclusion of the event. [Read a sample chapter from An Ounce of Prevention.]

Speakers

• Henryk J. Sokalski
  Former Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations; head of the UN Preventive Deployment Force in Macedonia (UNPREDEP); former Institute Senior Fellow; and author of An Ounce of Prevention (U.S. Institute of Peace Press, 2003)
• Bruce W. Jentleson
  Director, Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy; Professor of Public Policy and Political Science, Duke University; and former Institute Senior Fellow
• Michael Lund
  Senior Specialist for Conflict and Peacebuilding, Management Systems, Inc., and author of Preventing Violent Conflicts (U.S. Institute of Peace Press, 1996)
• Johanna Mendelson-Forman
  Senior Program Officer for Peace, Security, and Human Rights, United Nations Foundation
• Harriet Hentges, Moderator
  Executive Vice President, U.S. Institute of Peace