By James Wallunya
Today: May 29th, is the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
The United Nations (UN) set aside May 29th as the day for celebrating Peacekeepers – those who have served, are serving or lost their lives during Peacekeeping operations globally.
Peacekeeping operations are designed to guide the transition from violent conflict to peace and occur after the establishment of a peace agreement. The nature of the operation has evolved with time; from just providing security to conducting the demilitarization, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants (DDR), promoting law and order and overseeing democratic elections in order to sustain truce and ensure sustainable peace.
The United Nations (UN) set aside May 29th as the day for celebrating Peacekeepers – those who have served, are serving or lost their lives during Peacekeeping operations globally.
Peacekeeping operations are designed to guide the transition from violent conflict to peace and occur after the establishment of a peace agreement. The nature of the operation has evolved with time; from just providing security to conducting the demilitarization, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants (DDR), promoting law and order and overseeing democratic elections in order to sustain truce and ensure sustainable peace.
The UN is and has been the fundamental organization tasked with mandating and conducting peacekeeping operations throughout the globe – a duty that it has ardently undertaken through The Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) since 1948.
Peacekeeping forces, also known as “The Blue Berets” as a result of their distinct blue headgear, is made up of a conglomeration of military and police contingents drawn from different countries as well as civilian personnel of different backgrounds and nationalities.
Currently, the UN has conducted 71 peacekeeping missions in total, while 16 are still operational, including in: The Central African Republic, Kosovo, Mali, Cyprus, South Sudan, India and Pakistan among others.
UN peacekeepers operate in some of the World’s most dangerous and fragile areas while at times face multiple challenges and constraints. It is important to note that the UN chips in only after national or regional peacekeeping instruments have failed. Even so, these brave men and women continuously dedicate their efforts and expertise in the establishment of a path to peace or pave way for peace building.
The noble works of the UN peacekeepers has earned global reverence and appreciation. In 1988, The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. The UN, in its own testament of its peacekeeping achievements, boasts for ending armed conflicts in several countries including in Tajikistan, El Salvador and Namibia among others, and in improving the state of peace in other areas where it operates such as Kosovo, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia among others.
Indeed, peacekeepers are exemplary agents of change and humanity. Their concern for the plights of those affected by armed conflict is coupled by meaningful efforts that have led to the transformation and restoration of lives and human dignity which was once shattered and nearly lost. Some peacekeepers come from some of the World’s safest and peaceful regions where armed conflict ‘is not in their backyards,’ while others leave the comfort of their homes to work in difficult environments for what is noble.
Unfortunately enough, peacekeepers have lost their lives or got injured while in service. These persons, together with those who still serve or completed their service, have a special place in my heart and in that of millions worldwide. Their efforts were never wasted nor were lives lost in vain. Their classical acts of empathy, selflessness and humanness is deeply felt and appreciated.
Finally, peacekeepers teach us all a lesson – that despite our circumstances, we should resolve in a timely manner to work for peace – or as Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit puts it; “The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war.”
Sources
Center on International Cooperation. (n.d.). Peacekeeping Overstretch: Symptoms, Causes, and Consequences - Background Paper for the Thematic Series “Building More Effective UN Peace Operations”. Center on International Cooperation.
The Nobel Peace Prize 1988. (n.d.). Retrieved 5 29, 2016, from Nobel Prize: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1988/
United Nations Peacekeepers. (n.d.). Retrieved 5 29, 2016, from United Nations: http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/operations/
Peacekeeping forces, also known as “The Blue Berets” as a result of their distinct blue headgear, is made up of a conglomeration of military and police contingents drawn from different countries as well as civilian personnel of different backgrounds and nationalities.
Currently, the UN has conducted 71 peacekeeping missions in total, while 16 are still operational, including in: The Central African Republic, Kosovo, Mali, Cyprus, South Sudan, India and Pakistan among others.
UN peacekeepers operate in some of the World’s most dangerous and fragile areas while at times face multiple challenges and constraints. It is important to note that the UN chips in only after national or regional peacekeeping instruments have failed. Even so, these brave men and women continuously dedicate their efforts and expertise in the establishment of a path to peace or pave way for peace building.
The noble works of the UN peacekeepers has earned global reverence and appreciation. In 1988, The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. The UN, in its own testament of its peacekeeping achievements, boasts for ending armed conflicts in several countries including in Tajikistan, El Salvador and Namibia among others, and in improving the state of peace in other areas where it operates such as Kosovo, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia among others.
Indeed, peacekeepers are exemplary agents of change and humanity. Their concern for the plights of those affected by armed conflict is coupled by meaningful efforts that have led to the transformation and restoration of lives and human dignity which was once shattered and nearly lost. Some peacekeepers come from some of the World’s safest and peaceful regions where armed conflict ‘is not in their backyards,’ while others leave the comfort of their homes to work in difficult environments for what is noble.
Unfortunately enough, peacekeepers have lost their lives or got injured while in service. These persons, together with those who still serve or completed their service, have a special place in my heart and in that of millions worldwide. Their efforts were never wasted nor were lives lost in vain. Their classical acts of empathy, selflessness and humanness is deeply felt and appreciated.
Finally, peacekeepers teach us all a lesson – that despite our circumstances, we should resolve in a timely manner to work for peace – or as Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit puts it; “The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war.”
Sources
Center on International Cooperation. (n.d.). Peacekeeping Overstretch: Symptoms, Causes, and Consequences - Background Paper for the Thematic Series “Building More Effective UN Peace Operations”. Center on International Cooperation.
The Nobel Peace Prize 1988. (n.d.). Retrieved 5 29, 2016, from Nobel Prize: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1988/
United Nations Peacekeepers. (n.d.). Retrieved 5 29, 2016, from United Nations: http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/operations/