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The fifth annual International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
will be marked on 29 May 2007 at UN Headquarters in New York,
as well as at peacekeeping missions and UN offices around
the world. This year's commemorative ceremonies come at a
time when the services of UN peacekeepers are in greater demand
then ever. There are more than 100,000 peacekeepers from 115
countries serving in 18 operations on 4 continents, with additional
deployments on the horizon.
UN Peacekeepers Day was established in 2002 by the General
Assembly, in resolution 57/129, designating 29 May-the date
in 1948 when the first UN peacekeeping mission, the United
Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), began operations
in Palestine-to pay tribute to all men and women who have
served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping
operations.
The UN Chronicle regularly covers the work of UN peacekeepers
across the globe. Below are links to a number of articles
that outline some of the major shifts in thinking concerning
the way in which the UN system approaches peace operations
and may provide the basis for understanding what directions
such efforts will take in the future:
- Issue 1, 2007
The
Chronicle Interview: "We are more advanced in Peacekeeping
than in Peacebuilding efforts"
Interview with Jean-Marie Guéhenno, UN Under-Secretary-General
for Peacekeeping Operations, by Kaveh L. Afrasiabi
- Issue 1, 2006
Beyond
Peacekeeping: The Challenge of Post-Conflict Reconstruction
and Peacebuilding in Africa
By Crispin Grey-Johnson
The United Nations must find a formula that will allow a
successful transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding
and consolidation.
Women
Peacekeepers Making a Difference
By Jane Lloyd
Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) addresses the impact
of war on women and stresses the importance of women's participation
in all aspects of UN peacekeeping operations.
- Issue 3, 2005
Strengthening
UN Police Mandates
By Jane Lloyd
Member States allow for "a standing police capacity
to provide coherent, effective and responsive start-up capability
for the policing component of the United Nations peacekeeping
missions".
- Issue 2, 2004
10
Stories The World Should Hear More About
The Peacekeeping Paradox: As Peace Spreads, Surge in Demand
Strains UN Resources
By Fayth A. Ruffin
The more the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO)
works to enhance the positive developments of ending old
wars and preventing new ones, the more Member States will
need to invest, financially and personnel wise.
- Issue 3, 2003
May
I Speak a Word or Two Against Brotherhood?
By Brian Urquhart
The former UN Under-Secretary-General for Special Political
Affairs recalls the life of Ralph Bunche and the crucial
role he played in developing UN peacekeeping, dating back
to the Suez crisis in 1956.
- The
Chronicle Essay: "As Alfred Nobel finally discerned,
people are never deterred from the folly of war by the stark
terror of it."
By Ralph Bunche
Excerpted from Ralph Bunche's Nobel Lecture on 11 December
1950, after he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
- UN
Peacekeeping Forces: 'The Impartial Soldiers'
By Nuchhi Currier
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the soldiers serving
under the UN peacekeeping umbrella in 1988, acknowledging
their commitment to upholding international will by preventing
hostilities and securing the peace in regions of violent
conflict.
Online Articles:
Peacekeeping
and Conflict Resolution: Then and Now
By Sally Bolton
What are the lessons learned from previous peacekeeping
missions and the challenges facing peacekeeping operations
and conflict resolution in the new millennium?
Interview:
Kiran Bedi
Civilian Police Adviser for DPKO speaks about her experiences
as the first female officer of the Indian Police Service
and her views on the future of UN peace operations.
Giving
Peace a Chance: World Celebrates First International Day
of UN Peacekeepers
By Darrell Dela Rosa
The deaths of over 1,800 peacekeepers serving in 56 peace
operations since 1948 were commemorated on 29 May 2003.
LINKS TO RELATED RESOURCES
These stories and more can be found at UN Chronicle Online
at www.un.org/chronicle.
The UN Chronicle is not an official record; the views expressed
in individual articles do not necessarily imply official endorsement
or acceptance by the United Nations.
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