United Nations peacekeeping missions operate in complex and dynamic environments, often marked by cultural diversity, political instability, and ethical sensitivities. This paper proposes a knowledge-based framework to enhance situational awareness among peacekeeping personnel by systematically integrating cultural and ethical considerations into operational decision-making. Drawing from interdisciplinary fields such as knowledge management, cognitive science, and international relations, the framework emphasizes the structured acquisition, sharing, and application of context-specific knowledge. Key components include a centralized knowledge repository, culturally adaptive decision-support tools, and ethical guidelines tailored to local contexts. Case studies and simulations demonstrate that the proposed framework can reduce miscommunication, prevent cultural insensitivity, and support more informed, ethical responses in high-stakes situations. By aligning knowledge assets with operational needs, this approach aims to improve both the efficacy and legitimacy of UN peacekeeping efforts.

situational awareness, UN peacekeeping operations, knowledge-based systems, cultural competence, ethical decision-making

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