Human Rights Centre Speaker Series: The Future of UN Peace Operations

Please join us for the latest Human Rights Speaker Series, hosted by the University of Essex Human Rights Centre.

About the talk

Professor Kihara-Hunt will explore the evolving landscape of UN Peace Operations in the face of emerging global threats and challenges. The discussion will cover:

• New operational models and mandates
• Evolving tasks and collaborations
• Personnel and capability requirements
• Resource allocation strategies
• Conduct, discipline, and accountability measures

Featured Speakers

• Professor Kihara-Hunt
• Chair: Professor Carla Ferstman

Ai Kihara-Hunt is Professor at the Graduate Program on Human Security, Director of the Research Center for Sustainable Peace, and Director of International Law Training and Research Hub at the University of Tokyo. She also serves as a member in the expert study group on the future of peace operations for the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025. Her main area of research is UN Peace Operations, in particular the UN Police, accountability and human rights. She teaches International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Criminal Law, human security and peacebuilding. Between 1998 and 2016, she worked in Nepal, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Japan with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-OHCHR), UN Peace Operations (UNTAET, UNAMET) and other UN offices, as well as in academia. Her publications include: "Holding UNPOL to Account: Individual Criminal Accountability of United Nations Police Personnel" (Brill, 2017).

Carla Ferstman is a Professor at Essex Law School and the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex. With 25 years of experience in human rights practice across NGOs, intergovernmental organizations, and private practice, she brings valuable perspective to this discussion.

How to join

• Join via Zoom