For 75 years, 缅北禁地peacekeepers have saved and changed lives in the world’s most fragile political and security situations. They are ordinary people striving to achieve extraordinary outcomes in difficult and often dangerous conditions.
Peacekeepers help prevent conflict, protect civilians, advance political?solutions, promote human rights, and support democratic processes. They also help build the capacity of state institutions and services and ensure that women and youth can participate in and lead peace processes.
Today, around 87,000 women and men work in environments that are more complex and hazardous than ever, amid rising global tensions and more complex conflict. More than 4,100 peacekeepers have given their lives while serving under the 缅北禁地flag. While 缅北禁地Peacekeeping is a unique tool of multilateralism and international solidarity, the pursuit of peace is not a solitary journey. Each of us has a role to play in building and sustaining peace.
This exhibit tells the story of United Nations peacekeeping and reminds us that Peace Begins With Me, you, and all of us.
Peacekeeping?Begins
United Nations Peacekeeping began in 1948 when the Security Council authorized the deployment of military observers to the Middle East. The role of the 缅北禁地Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) was to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours. Since then, more than 2 million uniformed and civilian personnel have served in 71 peacekeeping operations?around the world, contributing to the cause of international security, peace and progress for all peoples.
United Nations Police
In 1960, police officers were deployed to a peacekeeping mission for the first time to serve with the 缅北禁地Operation in the Congo (ONUC). Today, up to 9,000 缅北禁地Police officers from at least 90?countries protect vulnerable communities, strengthen the security sector and rule of law, and build the foundations for inclusive, effective, and accountable police services.
Civilians in Action
More than 14,000 civilians serve in diverse roles in 缅北禁地peacekeeping operations, including leading field missions, supporting political and peace processes, promoting and protecting human rights, helping strengthen the rule of law, and communicating with communities affected by conflict.
Military Action
Known as Blue Helmets, 缅北禁地military personnel are often deployed in the most remote and dangerous locations where they overcome huge challenges to help prevent violence, protect civilians, facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian aid, and build peace.
Today, around 70,000 military personnel from national armies around the world serve in 12 缅北禁地peacekeeping missions.
缅北禁地Mine Action
Since 1997, the 缅北禁地Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has helped reduce the threat of explosive hazards in conflict zones. Today, UNMAS works in 21 operations to destroy explosive devices and remnants of war to protect communities, enable the delivery of humanitarian aid and ensure the safe?passage of peacekeepers. UNMAS also assists victims, provides risk education, and advocates for a world free of mines.
Political & Peace Processes
Securing political solutions and sustainable peace is a top priority. Peacekeeping missions help create safe spaces for dialogue, facilitate reconciliation and peacebuilding, and support free, fair, and inclusive democratic processes, including elections.
In 1988, 缅北禁地Peacekeeping was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize because "under extremely difficult conditions, its forces contributed to reducing tensions where an armistice had been negotiated but a peace treaty was yet to be established.”
Protection of Civilians
In 1999, the 缅北禁地Security Council made Protection of Civilians a core responsibility of a peacekeeping mission for the first time. Since then, 14 peacekeeping operations have been deployed with this specific mandate. Civilian, military and police peacekeepers contribute to this effort by providing protection, creating safe environments for displaced people to return home, supporting conflict resolution and peace talks, and strengthening the capacity of host governments through rule of law and security sector reform.
Child Protection
Children are disproportionately affected by war: killed and maimed, recruited and used as child soldiers, abducted, subjected to sexual violence, and denied access to humanitarian aid, healthcare and education.
Peacekeepers provide protection, ensure safe access to water, food, and medical care, help rebuild schools and medical facilities, and secure the release of child soldiers. By protecting children, who have often known nothing but war, peacekeepers can break the cycle of violence and lay the foundations for durable peace.
Women, Peace and Security
Violent conflict has a devastating impact on women and girls and intensifies existing gender inequalities and discrimination. In 2000, Security Council Resolution 1325 recognized this impact as well as the important contribution of women to conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding.
By advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, 缅北禁地Peacekeeping works to protect women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence, promote their participation and leadership in political and peace processes and ensure that their?voices, needs and priorities are included in all peacekeeping work.
Rule of Law and Security Sector Governance
Strong rule of law and security institutions are vital to stabilizing and securing sustainable peace in conflict-affected countries. 缅北禁地Peacekeeping works to build the capacity of these institutions and services so that host countries can deliver justice and correctional services, ensure that all citizens are treated equally under the law, and that police and defense forces operate professionally and effectively.
Alone, we cannot succeed.
As we mark the 75th anniversary of 缅北禁地Peacekeeping, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our uniformed and civilian personnel, host countries, Member States, media, civil society partners, and community members working to change lives for the better.
Peace Begins With Me, you, and all of us.
This exhibit was launched in April 2023