29 May is the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. UN offices, alongside Member States and non-governmental organizations, hold solemn events to honour fallen peacekeepers.
At the UN Headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General presides over a wreath-laying ceremony in honour of all peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag. In addition, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is awarded posthumously to the peacekeepers who have fallen while serving in the cause of peace, during the preceding year.
Since the first UN Peacekeeping mission was established in 1948, more than 2,900 military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives in the service of peace as a result of acts of violence, accidents and disease.
The day has two purposes:More information on Peacekeepers Day can be found on a number of websites and Social Media channels.
@UNPeacekeeping
The official twitter account of United Nations Peacekeeping.
@MONUSCO
MONUSCO - United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo
http://www.monusco.org
@MINUSTAHMedi
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
http://www.minustah.org
@UN_AUinDarfu
United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). At the heart of its mandate is the protection of civilians.
http://unamid.unmissions.org
@ONUCINF
L’ONUCI contribue à la protection des populations, la
sécurisation de l’hôtel du Golf et la sauvegarde des résultats de
l’élection présidentielle du 28 novembre
http://www.onuci.org
DPKO Support Page for UN Staff in Haiti
AU – UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT)
UNMIK - Division of Public Information
These are a great set of clips
about the work of UN Peacekeeping featuring USG Le Roy, USG Malcorra, the
Secretary-General and many other senior DPKO and DFS personnel. The
films are short (just a few minutes) and give a great overview of their
work:
Part 1 - What is Peacekeeping?
http://www.youtube.com/user/unitednations#p/c/49CE20981558F582/6/40EihLq1aAo
Part 2 - Peacekeeping in Action: Haiti, A Special Report
http://www.youtube.com/user/unitednations#p/c/49CE20981558F582/7/1SbLP-NMznE
Part 3 - Challenges of Peacekeeping
http://www.youtube.com/user/unitednations#p/c/49CE20981558F582/8/coE5PzJG6y0
Part 4 - Why Peacekeeping?
http://www.youtube.com/user/unitednations#p/c/49CE20981558F582/9/MGkt6WBqw24
Part 5 - Haiti Update 2010
http://www.youtube.com/user/unitednations#p/c/49CE20981558F582/10/Tvh8Liur1ck
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
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