International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
Encyclopedia
History of United Nations Peacekeeping
The History of United Nations Peacekeeping began in 1948. Its first mission was to the Middle East to observe and maintain the ceasefire during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Since then, United Nations peacekeepers have taken part in a total of 63 missions across the globe, 17 of which continue today...
for their high level of professionalism, dedication, and courage and to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace." It was so designated by United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
Resolution 57/129, on December 11, 2002 after official request of Ukrainian Peacekeepers Association and Government of Ukraine to UN General Assembly and first celebrated in 2003. The date, May 29, marks the anniversary of the creation of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization
United Nations Truce Supervision Organization
The United Nations Truce Supervision Organization is an organization founded on 29 May 1948 for peacekeeping in the Middle East. Its primary task was providing the military command structure to the peace keeping forces in the Middle East to enable the peace keepers to observe and maintain the...
(UNTSO), in 1948 to monitor the ceasefire after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
1948 Arab-Israeli War
The 1948 Arab–Israeli War, known to Israelis as the War of Independence or War of Liberation The war commenced after the termination of the British Mandate for Palestine and the creation of an independent Israel at midnight on 14 May 1948 when, following a period of civil war, Arab armies invaded...
, which was the first ever UN peacekeeping mission.
The day is marked at the United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with the presentation of the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal
Dag Hammarskjöld Medal
The Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is a posthumous award given by the United Nations to military personnel, police, or civilians who lose their lives while serving in a United Nations peacekeeping operation...
, statements by the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General a press release regarding the state of UN Peacekeeping missions and the continued necessity of their work.
There are also observances around the world, often countries will honor their own peacekeepers abroad, but the UN also organizes festivals, discussion forums, and memorials in cooperation with local and national groups.
In 2009, the UN put a special focus on the role of and need for women in peacekeeping, both as role models and also to serve in a number of gender-specific capacities.
External links
- UN peacekeeping website
- Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping
- Official UNDOF Website
- UNDOF HQ - Camp Faouar
- Official Austrian Army Website - UNDOF (German)
- Austrian Army - UNDOF (Wikipedia-German)
- UNIKOM