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Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
THE CHALLENGES OF DOING GOOD WORK: THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANADIAN FORCES CIMIC CAPABILITY AND NGOS
David Peabody, Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, University of
Calgary
Abstract
This paper is an examination of the development of civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) in the Canadian forces since the end of the Cold War, and will focus particularly on the involvement of CIMIC units in reconstruction projects in war-torn countries. The military’s incorporation of reconstruction work as part of its mission has been controversial, both within the military and among external actors, especially Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Many of these organizations argue that the military should not be doing reconstruction work at all, and many are concerned about losing their coveted neutrality and political independence. This paper will look at the evolution of Canadian CIMIC from its ad hoc first steps and Cold War roots to its current indoctrination as a regular part of Canadian military missions. The paper will identify internal accomplishments as well as future challenges that CIMIC faces, in light of the effects CIMIC activities have on NGOs and their operations. Because of the prominence of NGOs in peacebuilding, their concerns about CIMIC have been a factor in CIMIC’s evolution.