The History Of Peacekeeping

The year 1948 marked “the big change”. The start that met ends, the tradition still kept, whose impact earned its title. Peacekeeping is the heart of those willing to risk their lives, saving those destined to be cut short of living within days, those that should be promised a tomorrow.

Peace is a prerequisite for development as a whole since it creates a favourable environment for the foundations of a society's progress. The duties of Peacekeepers are to provide logistical support, initiate a ceasefire, and prevent casualties (Nations, n.d.). Although their success is never guaranteed, their moral worth and values are truly capable of showing victory in the peacekeepers themselves. Defending civilians, actively preventing conflict, reducing violence, strengthening security, and empowering national authorities are all responsibilities of peacekeepers, requiring a coherent security strategy that supports the political process (Nations, What we do, n.d.). Peacekeeping aids host countries in becoming more resilient to violence and creating the foundation for long-term peace, by addressing conflict's core causes (Nations, Preventing Conflicts, n.d.). Peacekeepers aid in the prevention of war, the reduction of human suffering, and the development of peaceful and successful societies that allow people to fulfil their full potential. Over the years, peacekeeping has proven to be a crucial tool for global peace and security. Nevertheless, the United Nations deploys a wide range of institutions, methods, and resources to support peace and security around the world (Nations, Reforming Peacekeeping, n.d.). Yet, peacekeeping faces several obstacles that jeopardise its ability to carry out its missions. Political solutions are frequently absent, and missions' directives appear to be lacking in focus and clarity. Complex challenges in a variety of locations are leading to an increase in peacekeeper deaths and injuries, and operations have occasionally lacked the manpower and equipment necessary in order to deal with these threats. These threats being known to the peacekeepers show their determination and strong mindset to fully attend to the needs of others.

Peacekeeping is an effective mechanism used by many countries throughout the world. Australia has been involved in peacekeeping for over 70 years, providing over 62 military and defence workers to United Nations since 1947. As the 11th biggest financial contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget, Australia provides strategic airlift assets for UN peacekeeping processes in crises (Government, n.d.). However, this did not all come about at once. Ensuring that neither side in a conflict could disregard an armistice without the United Nations and the world community knowing, Australia's peacekeepers were generally unarmed military spectators who encouraged peace indirectly (Memorial, 2021). Nowadays, some peacekeepers are armed and others unarmed though all are limited in the amount of force they can use. Occasionally peacekeepers operate alone or in small groupings. More recently, Australia has dedicated large units to peacekeeping tasks in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region. Through their missions, these men and women "helped establish Australia's reputation as a willing, experienced and generous contributor to regional and global peace and security." (Affairs, 2022) However, although Australian peacekeepers benefited society by restoring harmony in all parts of the world, some courageous soldiers lost their lives. Australian peacekeepers affected the whole world through their sacrifices for peace.

"Peacekeeping is not a job for soldiers, but only soldiers can do it." (Dag Hammarskjold) Peacekeepers voluntarily bring stability between people by endangering their undervalued lives. Although its success rates were uncertain, the impact of peacekeeping on society further demonstrates how peacekeepers are essential for all. Exemplified through the Australian peacekeepers, it is prominent that they bring together what others failed to do through their bravery, which everyone cannot emulate.

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Bibliography

Affairs, D. o. (2022, June 1). DVA ANZAC Portal. Retrieved from Australia's Peacekeepinf Missions since 1947: https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/peacekeeping

Government, A. (n.d.). Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding. Retrieved from Austalian Governemnt Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/security/peacekeeping-and-peacebuilding/Pages/peace-and-conflict

Memorial, A. W. (2021, June 3). Australians and Peacekeeping. Retrieved from Australian War Memorial: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/peacekeeping#:~:text=Australia%20has%20continued%20to%20support,personnel%20to%20the%20peacekeeping%20mission.

Nations, U. (n.d.). Preventing Conflicts. Retrieved from peacekeeping.un.org: https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/preventing-conflicts

Nations, U. (n.d.). Reforming Peacekeeping. Retrieved from peacekeeping.un.org: https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/reforming-peacekeeping

Nations, U. (n.d.). What is Peacekeeping? Retrieved from Peacekeeping.un.org: https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/what-is-peacekeeping

Nations, U. (n.d.). What we do. Retrieved from Peacekeeping.un.org: https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/what-we-do