Peace operations are one of the most important international mechanisms for contemporary conflict management. However, their effectiveness remains the subject of confusion and debate in both the policy and academic communities, and there is a distinct lack of independent, research-based information about the effectiveness of such operations.
The Effectiveness of Peace Operations Network (EPON) aims to enhance the effectiveness of international peace operations by enabling and supporting collaborative research. Each EPON case study focuses on a specific peace operation using a common methodology. In their own right, these case studies provide unique insights into specific operations. Jointly, however, the case studies also create a comprehensive resource on peace operations and their effectiveness.
The network is coordinated by Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and comprises over 40 partners from across the globe. EPON receives funding from the Norwegian Research Council and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the Network and its research, including via the UN Peace Operations project (UNPOP) and the Training for Peace (TfP) programme.
Dr Hunt (on behalf of RMIT University) is a founding member of EPON, contributed significantly to the design of the shared methodology guiding the network’s activity and co-authored one of the network’s pilot studies (South Sudan / UNMISS). For further details about the EPON-South Sudan team, process and report, see here.
- Day, A., Hunt, C., Yin, H., & Kumalo, L. (2019) “Assessing the Effectiveness of the UN Mission in South Sudan / UNMISS”, Effectiveness of Peace Operations Network [EPON] Report (Oslo: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs)
Associate Professor Charles T. Hunt 