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5 ConclusionsThe increased propensity for and complexity of conflicts in the 21 st century requires new andinnovative approaches to prevent the outbreak of conflicts as well as to peacefully resolvethem. The practice of international peace mediation is more than ever relevant to the UnitedNations operational work. It has been realised that the United Nations diplomatic efforts needto be resourced further in order to offer professional, flexible and responsive services. 5 Thegood offices of the UN Secretary General have been in heavy demand and probablyprevented more violent conflicts crises than assumed. The need for quickly deployable seniorprofessionals specialised in mediation and corresponding technical expertise on themeswhere peace processes mostly get stuck is an expression of the UN s willingness to domore in the mediation field.The SBT project is an innovative and useful mechanism which helps to augment themediation support capacity of the United Nations. After an initial pilot phase of nearly threeyears, it shows its relevance to the work of the MSU and the UNDPA system. At present, it isa tool which assists in bringing forward conflict resolution efforts by deploying highly skilledand professional personnel. A UN which can deliver quick and nimble expertise for peaceprocesses without institutional constraints certainly adds to the effectiveness and efficiency ofglobal mediation efforts.As conflict resolution experts know, it is the entry point and access which matter for amediation supporter. As the UN system continues to build its capacity in mediation, thedemand for professional mediation support at the high-profile level needs to be cultivatedfurther. It requires continuous efforts by the UNDPA to sensitise further high-level mediatorsand their teams that mediation support complements and enriches their work.The present entry point of the MSU to support peace processes through the SBT is bymeans of technical expertise. We have shown in many parts of this report that process andfacilitation skills and mediation expertise have been crucially important for many cases andhave contributed very positively to mediation and peace processes. It is this so-called nittygritty which we can witness in only a few phrases or annexes to a peace agreement whichhave required substantial comparative expertise in security issues, power-sharing,constitution making, resource sharing and gender. Bringing into the process this expertiseand being able to work if necessary with all the parties in the peace process and withoutthe baggage which the UN often has to carry is the prime added value of the SBT.From a management point of view, the SBT project requires a high degree of confidence andclose links with the mediation experts and a substantial level of trust and confidence betweenthe two principal partners, the MSU and the NRC/Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As italso requires continuous resources and back-office support, further partnerships andcommitments need to be built.Only a few women were part of the Standby Team and there is little cultural diversity. As it isa central concern of the UN to advance gender parity and cultural diversity, more insightsneed to be gained as to the reasons behind these gaps and adequate responses need to beformulated and implemented.Initial experiences with the SBT have helped to professionalise deployment procedures. Thevast richness of experiences leaves ample room for further learning and strategy building.The small MSU unit needs further support from within and outside the UN to tap theselessons and to use them for the further systematisation and conceptualisation of the SBT5 On this point see Center on International Cooperation: Review of Political Missions 2010, CIC, NYU; especiallychapter 2.3 written by Teresa Whitfield: Political Missions, Mediation and Good Offices.32