The United Nations and Global Peacekeeping

Introduction

The United Nations (UN) plays a crucial role in maintaining international peace and security. From conflict resolution to humanitarian missions, the UN works to prevent war and promote cooperation among countries. In this WebQuest, you will explore how the UN contributes to global peacekeeping and the challenges it faces. By the end, you will be able to explain the UN’s role and propose strategies to improve international cooperation.

Task

Your task is to create a peacekeeping mission report for a current or past UN operation. Your report should include:

  • Background of the conflict or issue the UN addressed.

  • Objectives of the peacekeeping mission.

  • Strategies used by the UN to maintain peace and protect civilians.

  • Challenges faced during the mission and how they were addressed.

  • A short recommendation for improving peacekeeping efforts in similar situations.

The final product can be a slide presentation, infographic, or written report with visuals.

Process

  • Research UN peacekeeping missions using reliable online resources. Focus on the mission’s objectives, actions, and outcomes.

  • Select one peacekeeping mission to study (e.g., UN Mission in South Sudan, UNIFIL in Lebanon, or UNMISS).

  • Gather information on the conflict, UN strategies, and results.

  • Create a visual timeline or infographic showing key events and interventions.

  • Write short explanations (3–5 sentences) for each part of your report.

  • Compile your findings into your chosen format (slides, infographic, or report).

  • Submit your completed mission report.

Evaluation
Criteria Excellent (4) Good (3) Fair (2) Needs Improvement (1)
Understanding of UN Mission Explains objectives, strategies, and results clearly Mostly clear explanation Some key points missing Limited understanding
Research Accuracy Facts are accurate and well-supported Mostly accurate Some inaccuracies Many inaccuracies or missing info
Visuals & Design Creative, clear, and informative Clear visuals but less creative Visuals basic or unclear No visuals or confusing
Analysis & Reflection Thoughtful analysis and practical recommendations Some analysis and recommendations Limited analysis No reflection or recommendations
Organization Well-organized and easy to follow Mostly organized Somewhat organized Disorganized
Conclusion

Through this WebQuest, you explored the UN’s role in peacekeeping, analyzed a real mission, and created a visual report. You learned how international cooperation works in practice and the challenges of maintaining global peace. Reflect on your learning: How do UN missions impact international relations? What strategies could make peacekeeping more effective in the future?

Credits
Teacher Page

Grade Level: High School / College (International Relations or Social Studies)

Subject: International Relations / Global Studies

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the role of the UN in global peacekeeping.

  • Analyze the objectives, strategies, and challenges of a UN peacekeeping mission.

  • Develop research, critical thinking, and presentation skills.

Time Required: 2–3 class periods (can be adapted depending on depth of project)

Preparation Tips for Teachers:

  • Ensure students have access to the internet for research.

  • Introduce basic concepts of the UN and peacekeeping before starting.

  • Encourage students to choose a mission they are interested in to increase engagement.

  • Provide guidance on creating visuals (slides, infographics, or posters) and citing sources.

Assessment:

  • Use the WebQuest rubric to grade students’ understanding, research, visuals, analysis, and organization.

  • Optionally, allow students to present their findings to the class for peer evaluation.