ABSTRACT
InconsideringtheinstitutionalframeworkandmechanismsoftheGS,astheyrelate toconflictprevention,itisimportanttorecognisetwocentralcontextualfactors.The firstistheenormousactivityandleadershipoftheUnitedNationsinregardtoconflict preventionoverthepastseveralyears.Thesecondisthatinthecurrentworld,thereis verylittlethatanyoftheGSgovernmentsdothatisnotsomehowcaughtupinthe businessofsummitry.Indeed,thesummitprocessisall-consuming.Fromthevantage pointofthepoliticalstaffofleaders,fromforeignministriesandevenfromthatof defencedepartments,thegrowingimpactofsummitryoncollectivedecisionmaking inCanadaandthenoncollegialdecisionmakingbeyondCanadaisdramatic.
