Canada and other countries developed peacekeeping measures to respond to conflict, and to promote international peace and security. Conflict is present in every society but only in certain circumstances does it lead to large-scale violence. A typical 'conflict cycle' can be shown as a series of stages moving from peace through crisis (and possibly to war) and then back toward peace.
At each stage of the conflict cycle, stakeholders must use different techniques, or tools, to increase the momentum for peace. A host of international, regional and national groups, or 'actors' are prepared to play different roles and respond in different ways.
The techniques that Canada, other countries, and their organizations use to deal with different stages of conflicts in the international arena fall into four broad areas:
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