Experiential Learning and Peacekeeping

Experiential learning, at its core, is a self-driven process of acquiring knowledge from past experiences and applying it to new situations. This study delves into this process within the realm of peacekeeping, where the learning experiences of troop-contributing countries are particularly unique. These peacekeepers navigate the dual role of countering armed insurgencies through UN peacekeeping missions abroad while simultaneously addressing domestic security challenges through counterinsurgency (COIN) operations. Although extensive research has examined how COIN experiences shape peacekeeping strategies, the translation of peacekeeping experiential learning to domestic contexts remains to be determined. By focusing on India as a case study, this research illustrates that peacekeepers are open to learning from their peacekeeping experiences. However, the successful application of this learning in domestic settings is determined by more than just their capacity to learn. It is also shaped by the nature of the supportive learning environment that may sometimes create a gap between international peacekeeping and its application to domestic operations.