Community Liaison Assistants in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (Survey of Practice)

Abstract

Since their introduction in MONUSCO in 2010, Community Liaison Assistants (CLAs) have become a successful tool to support community engagement in peace operations. Research for this survey has indicated that the experiences with CLAs have been largely positive and their contribution to mandate implementation is recognized across mission components. To develop a common understanding of CLAs, and to build institutional knowledge in peacekeeping regarding key issues associated with their deployment, this survey of practice proposes the following definition of CLAs: National staff, deployed alongside uniformed components of United Nations peacekeeping operations and managed by Civil Affairs components as one part of the broader community engagement work of missions. This report is also available in French.