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Paper short abstract:

In the wake of complex human security emergencies engendered by modern conflicts the role and contribution of regional organisations in preventing and resolving regional conflicts has become very important.

Paper long abstract:

In the wake of complex human security emergencies engendered by modern conflicts the role and contribution of regional organisations in preventing and resolving regional conflicts has become very important. This paper considers the emerging opportunities and challenges in complex peace support operations and concludes that peace support operations can achieve negative peace (i.e., cessation of direct and physical violence) and positive peace (i.e., the transformation of the inherent conflictual relationships and interactions) when the range of actors and strategies integrate and look 'beyond' the state to explore the potential of regional agency and cooperation as well as 'below' the state in recognition of community-based efforts. While recent studies increasingly acknowledge capacity dilemmas of regional organisations in becoming effective partners in peacekeeping less attention has been paid to their role in addressing critical factors alleviating destructive dynamics and creating momentum for social change.