Peacekeeping: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward

Kieran Dwyer, Acting Chief, Public Affairs Section, Departments of Peacekeeping and Field Support, recently joined Headquarters from his position as Director of Strategic Communications at the United Nations Assistance Mission IN Afghanistan (UNAMA).  Prior to UNAMA, Mr. Dwyer was Chief of Public Information in UNMIT/Timor-Leste (2009-10), Chief of Public Information in UNMIN/Nepal (2007-08), and was earlier Head of Public Information for the UN human rights office in Nepal (2005-07).

Mr. Dwyer worked in successive UN missions in Timor-Leste from UNAMET during the time of the 1999 popular consultation through to UNOTIL in 2005, including four years as a human rights officer supporting the Timorese Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR).  Further, Mr. Dwyer has worked internationally for the consultancy arm of Oxfam Australia and for the International Center for Transitional Justice. An Australian national, in the 1990s Mr. Dwyer worked on a range of social justice and human rights advocacy work, especially in support of marginalised young people in his country and on the issue of self-determination for East Timor.

Dwight Raymond joined US Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI) in July 2009 after retiring from the Army as an Infantry Colonel. His military assignments included infantry leadership, command, and staff positions; faculty positions at the United States Military Academy and the US Army War College, theater-level plans positions, and training and advisory assignments at the National Training Center and in Iraq as a Brigade Military Transition Team (MiTT) Chief.

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.  Dwight has a Bachelors Degree from the United States Military Academy and Masters Degrees from the University of Maryland, the US Army School of Advanced Military Studies, and the United States Army War College.