Abstract
The idea for this book stems from the belief that there needs to be an increased focus on the ‘tool boxes’ of international organisations in the peace and security realm. Progress in conflict management shows that more disputes than ever are being settled by negotiation and not on the battlefield, and that international organisations are playing an increasingly important role in settling these disputes. At the same time, the complexity of contemporary conflicts and conflict management is posing great challenges for the structures, resources and roles of most international organisations. This book deals with a wide range of different international organisations, which operate in different regions of the world and have different histories, legal foundations, security partners and resources. It is our hope that the book will provide readers with a deeper understanding of these international organisations, their establishment, how they have evolved and the tools of conflict management they use. The book is primarily directed towards students of international relations, conflict management and war studies, and appeals to both theorists and practitioners. It is therefore hoped that policy makers, scholars, students and government officials will find it a valuable source of information in organising lectures, conducting research and using the book as an encyclopedia of the differing roles in conflict management of seven selected international organisations.