Workshop on peacekeeping doctrine held

CANBERRA, Australia, March 20 (UPI) -- The Australian Ministry of Defense conducted a workshop in Singapore that brought together experts to discuss civil-military relations during peace operations.

The two-day workshop, which included 25 participants from the Asia-Pacific region, was designed to help develop a modern doctrine of guidelines for civilian and military relations during United Nations peacekeeping operations, the Australian Defense Ministry reported.

"There is a need for guidance to facilitate cooperation between the actors in the field, including the military, police, civilians and non-government organizations, and this workshop was an important opportunity for partner countries in the Asia-Pacific region to contribute to the development of this guidance," Michael Smith, executive director of the Asia Pacific Civil-Military Center of Excellence, said in a statement.

The doctrine, part of an effort to strengthen cooperation among the many actors in a post-conflict environment, will be presented by Australian officials to the United Nations.