Lesson 25 — Activity 3: Today's Reality of Peacekeeping
Completion requirements
Lesson 25 — Activity 3:
Today's Reality of Peacekeeping
Today's Reality of Peacekeeping
Warm Up
Peacekeeping is
an important aspect of Canada's national identity and a reflection of
our basic beliefs. It responds to changes in the international
environment to develop security for people affected by war and other
hardships. In this activity, you will understand how complex today's peacekeeping missions are and the effect on the peacekeepers.
Canada builds on our peacekeeping traditions to make strong
contributions to international peace and security. Canada has a very
positive reputation throughout the world as a peacekeeping nation.
Current
peacekeeping activities involve many Canadian civilians in addition to
our armed forces. Canada has been involved in peacekeeping missions for
over 50 years, participating in most of the United Nations missions. Since 1948,
over one hundred thousand Canadians have served in peacekeeping
missions. Canada has built a strong reputation for active peacekeeping
throughout the world.
Canada builds on our peacekeeping traditions to make strong contributions to international peace and security. Canada has a very positive reputation throughout the world as a peacekeeping nation.
Current peacekeeping activities involve many Canadian civilians in addition to our armed forces. Canada has been involved in peacekeeping missions for over 50 years, participating in most of the United Nations missions. Since 1948, over one hundred thousand Canadians have served in peacekeeping missions. Canada has built a strong reputation for active peacekeeping throughout the world.
In the early days of the UN, a
truce or cease-fire had to be in place before peacekeeping troops
entered an area of conflict. This has changed, however, and often
peacekeepers must go to places where fighting continues and their own
safety is very much in danger. In the past, peacekeepers, wearing their
blue berets and displaying the UN flag, would rarely be targeted by the
groups fighting. Today, peacekeepers often become targets themselves. Here are some other changes over the past 50 years.
In the early days of the UN, a truce or cease-fire had to be in place before peacekeeping troops entered an area of conflict. This has changed, however, and often peacekeepers must go to places where fighting continues and their own safety is very much in danger. In the past, peacekeepers, wearing their blue berets and displaying the UN flag, would rarely be targeted by the groups fighting. Today, peacekeepers often become targets themselves. Here are some other changes over the past 50 years.
More Missions
Since the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, there have been more missions than in all the previous years combined. This means more missions in the last 18 years than in the previous 40 years.
CC BY-NC 2.0
Internal Conflicts
Internal conflicts may involve two or more groups within one country fighting in a civil war. Another type is the citizens within a country fighting their own government when it is treating them unfairly.
Civilians Involved
Conflicts usually involve many more innocent civilians. As a result, in addition to the armed forces, non-governmental organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam are involved because many more people are hurt, starving, and homeless.
Public Domain U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David A. Frech
More Skills Needed
Peacekeepers need to have various skills. Peacekeepers have to deal with
the local people in another country and, therefore, must be able to work
with the customs and traditions in this place. They must be able to
communicate with people well and know something about conflict
resolution so they might help others learn these skills.
Complicated Conflicts
Identifying who is friendly and who is not can be difficult. This can lead to innocent civilians being killed by mistake. Peacekeepers also lose their lives if someone they identify as friendly is actually hostile.
Some conflicts in which peacekeepers participate involve some very savage fighting. Such conflicts can mean that peacekeeping soldiers witness some terrible scenes that leave many with haunting memories. Some suffer from post traumatic stress. Canada tries to prepare its military personnel for such events, and it offers support when they return home. However, for many, a peacekeeping mission is a life-altering experience.
Self-check!
Try This!
Try the question below on your own first, and then click on
the tab to check your answer! You may look back at the lesson to find
the answer.
Name at least three changes that have occurred in the United Nations over the past 50 years.
- more missions
- internal conflicts
- civilians involved
- more skills needed
-
complicated conflicts