Conflict prevention remains one of the highest aims of the United Nations, even as both the nature and our understanding of conflict have evolved since the goal of saving future generations “from the scourge of war” was enshrined in the U.N. charter in 1945.
In today’s world, preventive action extends well beyond traditional preventive diplomacy to involve a broad constellation of U.N. entities working across a wide range of disciplines — poverty-eradication and development, human rights and the rule of law, elections and the building of democratic institutions, the control of small arms, to name just a few.

The United Nations has committed itself to moving from a culture of “reaction” to “prevention”, to work closely with civil society as well as Member States, and to pursue comprehensive strategies that address the deep-rooted structural causes of conflict.
The Department of Political Affairs plays an important role within this broader U.N. effort, contributing to conflict prevention by: monitoring global political developments and warning of potential crises before they erupt; by assisting the Secretary-General, his special envoys and political missions engaged in preventive diplomacy in the field; and through DPA’s role in inter-departmental processes as well as its partnerships with other U.N. entities, regional organizations and civil society.

In addition: DPA coordinates the Secretary-General’s reports on the Prevention of Armed Conflict. Beginning in 2001, the reports have helped to define the challenges facing the organization, to take stock of U.N. capacities and to make recommendations for strengthening U.N. capacity.

By convening the Executive Committee on Peace and Security, and participating in the Inter-Agency Framework for Coordination on Preventive Action (Framework Team), DPA works to ensure coherence between the different departments and agencies of the U.N. system involved in complex crises where preventive action is required.

A joint program between DPA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Building National Capacity for Conflict Prevention, is helping governments, political parties and civil societies to acquire the skills and experience they need to resolve disputes peacefully before they lead to violence. The programme provides funding for the implementation of conflict prevention strategies developed under the auspices of the Framework Team; joint assessments of situations requiring preventive action; the provision of “seed assistance,” in the form of initial technical and financial resources, for concrete conflict prevention initiatives on the ground; and for the deployment of Peace and Development Advisors to support conflict prevention initiatives at the field level

A joint program between DPA and the United Nations Staff College trains U.N. officials and counterparts in skills for early warning and conflict prevention. More than 1,500 U.N. staff, representatives of donor agencies and members of civil society organizations have been trained since 1999.

DPA also works to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and civil society in the prevention of conflict. The Department co-sponsored the global conference of civil society leaders, From Reaction to Prevention: Civil Society Forging Partnerships to Prevent Violent Conflict and Build Peace, held at New York headquarters in July 2005, and organized by the non-governmental Global Partnership on the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC).

Voluntary contributions to DPA-managed Trust Funds have, since 1997, supported preventive initiatives in dozens of countries. Activities include fact-finding and good offices missions, support for political dialogue in polarized societies and assistance to non-governmental organizations engaged in conflict prevention.

DPA also provides staff support to the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, appointed in 2004 on the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide.