In the research I look at, I think the biggest barrier is the power dynamic in the interface between the peacekeeping operations. I haven't see as much about whether coalitions are a bigger problem than.... That doesn't seem to be the point of friction as much, at least from the research I've done, but I do think that being able to change the perception of peacekeepers...because as I said, a local population where the peace is being kept is as likely to see the uniform as they are to see the gender, so it makes no difference. They're seeing armed personnel. It has the same effect that armed personnel have in many parts of the world. They're not necessarily seen as people who are peacekeepers.
As Canadians we do benefit, I think, from having a slightly different reputation overseas, and I'll admit that. I had a graduate student do research on understanding how Canadians are perceived in Afghanistan. We found that we were perceived a little bit differently from those from other countries that have sent troops, for example, so I think we do benefit from that a bit. However, I do think the culture of peacekeeping is also still extremely formalized, often for security reasons, so I wonder about the conversations about how peacekeepers can build these friendships and these wonderful connections with local populations and how that can happen when most peacekeeping happens in a very formalized context. You're not allowed to leave the base often as peacekeepers. You're not allowed to break bounds after dark, for example, so in these very formalized contexts, how can you actually build peace?
I think we need to create forms for better interaction. I do think some of the grassroots organizations that already exist can perhaps provide that nice intermediary function, can play an intermediary function that can be useful.