Numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown that more peacekeepers in conflict areas correlates with fewer civilian deaths, less violence, and a better chance at lasting peace. However, these harsh realities suggest more about the fundamental limitations of U. Peacekeeping is a conflict management and mitigation tool, not a solution to the complex underlying drivers of conflict. The United States and other U. A Government Accountability Office review found that it is eight times cheaper to financially support a U.
In total, the U. In , Vice President Joe Biden co-chaired a peacekeeping summit at which more than 30 countries made concrete commitments to strengthen U.
One year later, President Barack Obama and U. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon co-chaired a follow-on summit of more than 50 countries, garnering pledges to contribute more than 40, troops and police, helicopters, field hospitals, and engineering companies. With proper support, U.
A string of scandals over the past several years have exposed abhorrent sexual exploitation and abuse of women and girls, prompting outrage from host governments and member states and blighting the institution of peacekeeping. Additionally, U. DPO has investigated these shameful incidents and enacted measures to prevent them from recurring. A consequence of the ad-hoc manner in which peacekeeping was established is that, to this day, it sits - sometimes awkwardly - between three sources of power and control: the member states of the UN Security Council UNSC who establish the mission and provide it, via a mandate, with its tasks and rules of engagement; the individual nations known as Troop Contributing Countries or TCCs that provide troops themselves and continue to exert command and discipline over them; and the Department for Peacekeeping Operations DPKO , civil servants answerable to the UN Secretary General, tasked with managing and coordinating the work of the UN missions.
Peacekeeping has a strong track record. There have been colossal failures: failures to deploy as in Rwanda , failures to act once deployed as at Srebrenica , failures to operate safely a cause of the cholera outbreak in Haiti and failures to prevent abuse most notoriously when it comes to sexual exploitation and abuse.
But undoubtedly the world is a safer and a better place as a result of UN peacekeeping. Since the first deployment of military observers to the Middle East in , over countries have contributed personnel to 69 UN-mandated peacekeeping operations — of which 16 are active as of 2 December The nature of UN peacekeeping is changing considerably.
The traditional role of a peacekeeper was to observe the ceasefire line in a frozen conflict, and in a minority of missions Cyprus and South Lebanon that is still the case. An emergent norm from subsequent generations of peacekeeping missions was that the role of a peacekeeper was to extend the legitimate authority of the state.
But in some of the increasingly fragmented and fragile conflicts where peacekeepers currently operate, the state cannot be thought of as a singular entity, and its legitimacy is not beyond question. Nowadays the role of the peacekeeper is often to protect civilians, including by the use of force, in situations where there is no peace to keep.
To implement their mandated tasks, our troops need to prepare adequately, starting sometimes far before deployment. This preparation covers every aspect of UN Peacekeeping such as ensuring the availability of the necessary and proper equipment. It is also critical that peacekeepers are properly trained, to name a few, in Protection of Civilians, the use of force, and the Rules of Engagement.
Also, a thorough understanding of conduct and discipline is a key training requirement. The UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System PCRS aims to establish a more predictable and dynamic process of interaction between the UN Headquarters and Member States for strengthening readiness and timely deployment of peacekeeping capabilities with the right qualities.
Skip to main content. Welcome to the United Nations Toggle navigation Language:. Home What is peacekeeping Our peacekeepers Military Military.
United Nations military personnel are the Blue Helmets on the ground. Today, they consist of over 70, military personnel contributed by national armies from across the globe. Global contribution for global peace All military personnel working under the Blue Helmet are first and foremost members of their own national armies and are then seconded to work under the command and control of the UN.
What UN military personnel do The UN has been deploying military personnel for service in peace operations since when the Security Council authorized the deployment of UN military observers to the Middle East to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours. UN military personnel can be called upon to: Protect civilians and UN personnel; Monitor a disputed border; Monitor and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas Provide security across a conflict zone; Provide security during elections; Assist in-country military personnel with training and support Assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements; they may have signed.
Getting involved The United Nations Office of Military Affairs seeks highly qualified military officers from UN Member States for service in our peace missions around the world, either as individual Staff Officers, as Military Observers, or as part of a formed unit from an individual Troop-Contributing Country.
What kind of Blue Helmets are needed? Does the UN have a standing reserve Force? Increasing the number of female peacekeepers The deployment of female peacekeepers to peace operations significantly, contributes to achieving sustainable peace and the improved wellbeing of women and girls in conflict-affected regions. Role of female military in peacekeeping operations Female soldiers perform in many functions and capacities, from command to frontline roles, while bringing an added value to military operations.
Female military peacekeepers network The Female Military Peacekeepers Network was created in April and so far about one hundred former and currently serving female military peacekeepers have joined the network. Policies on readiness, performance, command and control. Rules of Engagement: This document provides authority for the use of force and explains policy, principles, procedures and responsibilities relating to the use of force. For each mission, specific rules of engagement are drafted.
Our troops in the field are required to implement their mandate with utmost professionalism, dedication and dignity, often at significant personal sacrifice. Unfortunately, Blue Helmets have been accused of acts of misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse.
These reprehensible acts are an affront to the values of protection that UN Peacekeeping upholds. All acts of misconduct are unacceptable and forbidden. Click here for the UN Code of Conduct.
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