A new photo exhibit on United Nations Peacekeeping opened at Headquarters on Monday, honouring the service and sacrifice of uniformed and civilian peacekeepers as it marks its 75th anniversary.
“For 75 years, UN Peacekeeping has helped to end conflict, protect civilians, advance political solutions, and secure sustainable peace,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.
“The results of their efforts to help countries navigate the difficult path from war to peace can be found in countries like Liberia, Namibia, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and Timor-Leste.”
Part of a year-long global campaign, the exhibit theme “Peace Begins with Me” seeks to demonstrate the powerful impact of UN peacekeeping and its partners on the lives of millions of people caught up in catastrophic conflict.
Featuring a curated collection of peacekeepers in action from the very first deployment of military observers to the Middle East in 1948, through to the current 12 missions in operation, the images document the complex and diverse work performed by peacekeeping personnel in some of the world’s most fragile political and security situations.
From UN protection of civilians’ camps that saved tens of thousands of lives in South Sudan to elections in DR Congo and critical demining efforts in Cyprus, the photos capture the indispensable support that "blue helmets", police, and civilian peacekeepers provide to communities in need.
Peacekeepers working for the United Nations in some of the world’s most dangerous environments are “ordinary people striving to achieve extraordinary outcomes” according to the exhibition marking 75 years of UN peacekeeping operations.
The exhibition shows how, over three quarters of a century, peacekeepers have supported nations in the often-difficult journey from conflict to peace, reconciliation and ultimately development.
The exhibition which is entitled ‘Peace Begins With Me’ also serves as a reminder that keeping the peace is the responsibility of all people, everywhere, says a UN news on May 1.
