HDI’s “U.N. To D.C.” Program: Susanne Frueh, Chief of the U.N. Peacebuilding Support Office, September 12, 2008

September 15, 2008

HDI was pleased to have the Chief of the U.N. Peacebuilding Support Office Susanne Frueh as its eighth speaker in the 2008 “U.N. to D.C.” program year. Ms. Frueh briefed U.S. House and Senate staffers on how the United Nations has made significant advances in peacemaking, peacekeeping and in addressing the development needs of fragile states. These advances are being made possible by the three pillars of the U.N.’s peacebuilding architecture:

• The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) – A 31 member State subsidiary advisory body of both the General Assembly and the Security Council;

• The Peacebuilding Fund  (PBF) – A multi-year standing trust fund for post-conflict peacebuilding;

• The Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) – part of the U.N. Secretariat that supports the PBC, manages the PBF, and coordinates U.N. system peacebuilding efforts.

Ms. Frueh discussed how the integration of the peacebuilding architecture into the work of the United Nations is an important aspect of overall U.N. reform. She also detailed how the Peacebuilding Fund is a crucial instrument in maintaining regional stability. Although many nations are increasing their contributions to the Peacecbuilding Fund, the United States is not yet a contributor.

The staffers raised several important points and asked insightful questions. Ms. Frueh was able to answer many of the questions by citing success stories and lessons learned in developing peacebuilding scenarios from Mozambique, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Several staffers expressed concern that the peacebuidling Support Office is not active in Darfur. Ms. Frueh explained that U.N. peacebuilding programs can only take place after political agreements are reached.

 

To learn more about this program and HDI, please contact: jonathan.landesman@thehdi.org.

HDI’s “U.N. to D.C.” program is partially supported by the United Nations Foundation.