An educational webinar titled “The Role of International Organizations in Ensuring Peace: Modern Challenges and Prospects” was held, organized by the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in cooperation with the Institute of the Danube Region and Central Europe (Vienna, Austria).

The keynote speaker was Dr. Gabriel M. Lentner, Associate Professor of International Law and Arbitration at the University of Continuing Education Krems (Austria), Lecturer at the University of Vienna and the University of Göttingen (Germany), and Fellow of the Transatlantic Technology Law Forum at Stanford Law School.

During the lecture, the theoretical and legal foundations of the activities of international organizations in the field of peacekeeping were presented, their mandates under international law were outlined, and the interaction between global and regional structures – such as the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, and the OSCE – was analyzed in the context of conflict prevention, stability enhancement, and the promotion of human rights.

Special attention was given to the role of the UN Security Council, its powers under the UN Charter, the system of collective security, and contemporary challenges related to the application of international law in political processes. Drawing on examples of peacekeeping operations in Namibia, Rwanda, and Libya, the lecture illustrated both the achievements and limitations of existing UN mechanisms in maintaining peace.

The discussion also underscored the growing role of civil society and non-governmental organizations in monitoring, advocacy, and fostering trust in international institutions, which contributes to the creation of effective and just mechanisms for sustaining peace in today’s world.

Simultaneous interpretation for the webinar was provided thanks to “Ukraine2EU – EU Integration Support Programme for Ukraine”, which made the event accessible to a broader audience.