3D, Can Canada Make Peace?

The discipline of peacemaking has been evolving for the past 20 years. Somalia was Canada's first attempt to engage in peacemaking and restabilising a failed state; the mission was a failure. Currently, Canada is attempting to aid Afghanistan through a whole-government or 3D policy (3D refers to the integration and coordination of Canada's departments of defence, diplomacy and development). This integrated 3D approach is serving as the cornerstone for many of Afghanistan's security, rebuilding and reconstruction projects. Through a comparative case study analysis of the integration and coordination of Canada's military, political/diplomatic structures and (brief examination) developmental tactics this study demonstrates some of the initial effectiveness of a whole government method. Preliminary findings indicate that engaging in a 3D approach has led to a more responsive strategy and served as a force multiplier within the Afghan mission. Instead of utilizing the concepts of one department in a top down approach, the need to engage within three spheres (defence, diplomacy and development) has had a significant impact for on the ground personal and results.