|
This section answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the International Peace Operations Association.
- What is IPOA?
- Why was IPOA developed?
- What has IPOA done to improve accountability of the industry since its inception?
- What is the composition of IPOA’s staff?
- Does IPOA offer internships? How do I apply for an internship with IPOA?
- What kinds of companies are eligible for membership in IPOA?
- What are the benefits of becoming a member of IPOA?
- How does an organization apply for membership?
- What is the Peace Operations Institute (POI)?
- Can my company advertise in the Journal of International Peace Operation and/or on the IPOA website?
- How can I contribute material to include to the Journal of International Peace Operations, PeaceOps.com, or PeaceOps.org?
- How can I report errors on this website?
- What is the purpose of the Journal of International Peace Operations?
- How can I support IPOA?
- Why did IPOA decide to develop a Code of Conduct?
- What role does IPOA envision for international and governmental organizations (e.g. UN) in future peace and stability operations?
Have a question that is not answered here? E-mail us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
1. What is IPOA?
The IPOA is a trade association whose mission is to promote high operational and ethical standards of firms active in the Peace and Stability Industry; to engage in a constructive dialogue with policy-makers about the growing and positive contribution of these firms to the enhancement of international peace, development, and human security; and to inform the concerned public about the activities and role of the industry. To find out more, read the About IPOA section.
2. Why was IPOA developed?
Founded in 2001, IPOA developed from a clear recognition that the private sector can play a larger, more cost effective role in fundamentally improving peace and stability operations worldwide.
3. What has IPOA done to improve accountability of the industry since its inception?
Since our inception, IPOA has done much to improve accountability by promoting high operational and ethical standards of firms active in the Peace and Stability Industry, and by engaging in a constructive dialogue with policy-makers throughout the world about the growing and positive contribution of these firms to the enhancement of international peace, development, and human security. The vehicles that we have employed to undertake this reform are as follows: governmental advocacy; promoting ethical standards and in turn engaging all relevant stakeholders; hosting roundtables and forums; publishing ground-breaking research; providing information to media; communication/information sharing with NGOs; providing training courses; and fielding complaints about the industry.
4. What is the composition of IPOA’s staff?
Based in Washington, D.C., IPOA has an international staff, which is comprised of President Doug Brooks; Director J.J. Messner; and Associates covering the departments of Business Development, Events, Government & Legal Affairs, Member Services, Publications and Research.
IPOA member companies are invited to participate in four steering Committees: Executive, Government and Legal Affairs, Membership and Standards. IPOA is also developing a series of specific Working Groups.
Every member company sits on the IPOA Board of Directors. The Board sets the annual budget, approves revisions to the Code of Conduct, and makes major Association decisions. For day-to-day issues, the IPOA staff communicates with the Executive Committee, which is elected by the Board.
5. Does IPOA offer internships? How do I apply for an internship with IPOA?
Yes. IPOA offers internships to undergraduate students, graduate students and recent graduates. Internships vary in duration and are flexible to fit in with study. Interns are given great responsibility to manage their own projects and conduct their own research. Due to the nature of IPOA, interns are given much more responsibility than most other internships, and are thus designated “Research Associates”. IPOA offers a stipend of up to $500 per month (based on a full work week, pro rated for part-time interns). Internship applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, please click here.
6. What kinds of companies are eligible for membership in IPOA?
IPOA’s members are firms active in the Peace and Stability Operations Industry. Some of the services IPOA members provide globally every day:
- Aviation
- Base Support
- Communications
- Consultancy
- Demining and UXO Removal
- Humanitarian Development
- Insurance
- Intelligence
- K-9
- Legal
- Logistics
- Medical
- Products
- Risk Management
- Satellite Tracking
- Security
- Supply
- Surveillance
- Training
Applicant companies must complete a formal application process which does not automatically guarantee acceptance. If accepted into membership, companies must continue to uphold the ethical standards of the Association.
7. What are the benefits of becoming a member of IPOA?
As the world's only international peace operations advocacy organization, members are recognized for adhering to the IPOA Code of Conduct giving members a competitive edge for domestic and international contracts. For a comprehensive list, read the Benefits of Membership section.
8. How does an organization apply for membership?
To apply for Corporate Membership, you can Apply Online or download an Application Form and fax or mail it to us. After your application is lodged, a refundable deposit of US $1,000 is required, as is a due diligence report including a past performance package. All applicant companies must also undergo an interview by the IPOA Membership Committee. To learn more about the process, read about How the Application Process Works.
9. What is the Peace Operations Institute (POI)?
The POI is a not-for-profit academic think tank that examines the role of the private sector in peace and stability operations and conflict/post-conflict zones. The mission of POI is to develop practical solutions to the evolving challenges facing modern peace and stability operations. POI pursues this mission by engaging key actors involved in the resolution reconstruction from armed conflict, while maintaining a focus on humanitarian values, standards, codes, and ethics for policy makers and practitioners in the field. Visit the POI at www.peaceops.org.
10. Can my company advertise in the Journal of International Peace Operations and/or on the IPOA website?
IPOA hosts two Web sites - IPOAworld.org, the official Web site of IPOA, and PeaceOps.com, the home of the Journal of International Peace Operations.
For further information on the competitive online advertising packages available from PeaceOps.com for the Journal of International Peace Operations, please visit www.peaceops.com. Advertising on PeaceOps.com and in the Journal is available to any organization (including non-IPOA members), subject to approval. Advertising on IPOAonline.org, however, is restricted to NGOs, academic institutions and conference providers ONLY. If organizations in any of those categories wish to advertise their programs or events, they should contact the Business Development Department at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
11. How can I contribute material to include to the Journal of International Peace Operations or PeaceOps.com?
If you wish to contribute material to the Journal of International Peace Operations or PeaceOps.com, please contact us J.J. Messner, Editor-in-Chief, at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
12. How can I report errors on this website?
If you detect an error on IPOAworld.org or PeaceOps.com, please contact us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
13. What is the purpose of the Journal of International Peace Operations?
The Journal is the world’s only publication devoted to the study of the private sector’s role in peace and stability operations. In January 2007, the Journal was described by The Philadelphia Inquirer as one of the most influential periodicals in publication today.
Published bi-monthly, the Journal has a combined print and online circulation of more than 16,000 copies, and is read by senior executives, government policymakers, and practitioners in the field of peace operations. The Journal provides companies involved in the field of peace operations an unparalleled opportunity for targeted exposure within the industry. Visit the Journal web site at www.peaceops.com.
14. How can I support IPOA?
You can support IPOA by becoming a Corporate Member, if your organization qualifies, or becoming a Friend or Supporter of IPOA.
Friends and Supporters of IPOA are individuals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who support the goals and aspirations of IPOA. As a Friend or Supporter of IPOA, you will be helping to fund our internship program which gives opportunities to students around the world. And, if you choose to subscribe to print edition of the Journal of International Peace Operations, you will receive 50% off the subscription price. Additionally, and with your permission, IPOA will recognize you and your contribution in a special section of our Web site.
15. Why did IPOA decide to develop a Code of Conduct?
In 2001, Doug Brooks convened a meeting of local and international humanitarian groups, non-governmental organizations, and human rights lawyers, and drew up a document delineating how private companies could be best utilized in conflict and post-conflict environments. Since that time, the document has continued to be improved and enhanced through the input of dozens of international and non-governmental organizations, human rights lawyers, and scholars. Today this document is the ethical foundation of IPOA: the IPOA Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct seeks to ensure the ethical standards of IPOA member companies operating in conflict/post-conflict environments so that they may contribute their valuable services to be utilized for the benefit of international peace and human security.
16. What role does IPOA envision for international and governmental organizations (e.g. UN) in future peace and stability operations?
IPOA does NOT seek to have the current leadership role of international and government organizations supplanted by private sector entities. Instead, the goals of IPOA are better supervision of private companies operating under the umbrella of UN or government-led operations and better coordination between private organizations, government, NGOs and international organizations. IPOA strives for greater awareness of private sector contributions in peace and stability affairs and raising the standards of companies in the peace and stability industry, while recognizing the leadership of government and international organizations in peacekeeping operations.
|
