Dr. H. Peter Langille
Peter Langille specializes in peace and conflict studies, United Nations peace operations, conflict resolution, and independent analysis of defence and security policy. His academic foundation includes a PhD in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford, completed under Professor Paul Rogers, where he focused on alternative security approaches and initiatives to enhance training, specialization, and rapid deployment for UN peace operations. He holds an MA in Conflict Analysis from Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Relations. His MA research essay on the political economy of defence relations was published as a solo-authored, priority book, Changing the Guard: Canada’s Defence in a World in Transition (University of Toronto Press, 1990). It warned of a “defence trap” stemming from deep military integration and an expanding military-industrial complex. He also earned a Graduate Diploma in Peace Research from the University of Oslo and completed two mediation training courses, receiving firsts in all three graduate programs.
Near the end of the Cold War, Dr. Langille initiated discussions to revise NATO and Warsaw Pact military doctrine toward a more defensive posture—an effort encouraged by Grigory Arbatov, Mikhail Gorbachev’s security advisor, and senior NATO officials. Although initial talks in Ottawa were stymied, the idea gained traction in Vienna the following year. In the early 1990s, he led efforts to establish appropriate training programs for peacekeeping and proposed converting CFB Cornwallis into a Canadian Multinational Peacekeeping Training Centre, which became the Pearson Peacekeeping Training Centre.
In 1994–95, Dr. Langille served as an “office of primary responsibility” on the Canadian government’s study Towards a Rapid Reaction Capability for the United Nations, co-chaired by the late Sir Brian Urquhart. Submitted to the UN General Assembly on its fiftieth anniversary, the report laid the groundwork for a UN Rapid Deployment Mission Headquarters and SHIRBRIG (Standby High-Readiness Brigade for UN Peace Operations). Following their demise, in 2014 he wrote a study for the International Peace Institute, Improving United Nations Rapid Deployment Capacity.
His 2002 book, Bridging the Commitment Capacity Gap, introduced the concept, case, and plans for a permanent United Nations Emergency Peace Service (UNEPS), which became the foundation for a broader initiative in 2003. His most recent book, Developing a United Nations Emergency Peace Service: Meeting Our Responsibilities to Prevent and Protect (Palgrave, 2016) elaborates on the proposal. In 2023, he conveyed the UNEPS idea in submissions to the UN’s Agenda for Peace and the Summit of the Future.
Dr. Langille has presented his work to a wide range of audiences, including global conferences on genocide prevention and armed conflict, Japanese senators and Canadian parliamentarians, representatives of the African Union, the UN Military and Police Advisors Community, the International Peace Research Association, and the UN High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations. He has also contributed to the Global Futures Forum and numerous international conferences focused on UNEPS.
Peter has worked with various levels of government and civil society organizations. In 2015, he developed the umbrella concept of “sustainable common security” to build bridges of understanding, solidarity, and coordinated responses to shared global challenges. Dr. Langille previously served on the advisory board of the World Federalist Movement–Canada and as a Senior Advisor to the Rideau Institute. The International Peace Institute’s Providing for Peacekeeping Project lists him as a country expert for Canada and a thematic expert on UN rapid deployment.
As an educator, Dr. Langille designed and taught courses at the University of Western Ontario, University of Victoria, York, Carleton, McMaster, Huron and King’s University College. He supervised officers in the Canadian Forces College/Royal Military College’s Masters in Defence Studies program and graduate students in Royal Roads University’s Disaster and Emergency Management program.
In response to early warnings of genocide in Darfur, Peter attempted to persuade Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office to convene a dialogue of SHIRBRIG member states. Despite support from Foreign Affairs and the SHIRBRIG commander, his effort to prevent worse was dismissed, and shortly thereafter, he was terminated at the University of Western Ontario — despite teaching, research and peace awards and UWO profiling his work to advertise their new internationalism. This marked the end of his hopes for an academic career.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Langille received the Hanna Newcombe Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Federalist Movement–Canada in 2008. He has also been awarded a Human Security Fellowship, a SSHRC Post-Doctoral Fellowship and a CIIPS Fellowship. Peter was nominated by Sir Brian Urquhart for the Pearson Peace Prize in 2004.
Peter is currently developing Project 2030: A Guide to a UN-centred Global Peace System. This guide outlines 27 steps – viable policy options – for a more effective UN that are already underway. Combined, they become the foundation of a global peace system. With a unity of effort and purpose toward a higher goal – ‘peace on earth’, what has been ‘mission-impossible’ may become desirable, then inevitable.
Dr. Langille’s practical experience in conflict prevention began before academia, working alone as a bouncer in Dawson City, Fort McMurray, and Halifax, where he earned awards for maintaining peace. He later worked in youth detention centres in Calgary and Ottawa. A former professional ski racer and captain of Carleton University’s rugby team, he brings a unique blend of experience, commitment and scholarly insight to the pursuit of peace.
His full curriculum vitae is available upon request.
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