The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
The main objective of the date is to convey to mankind the every-day contribution of these courageous people called to ease suffering and to reconcile the warring parties.
The first mission of the peacekeepers was convened in 1948, and then no one could imagine what an ambitious program would be a result of this little UN experiment.
Currently, peacekeeping operations became increasingly complex: they are not limited to observation and maintenance of a cease-fire, but actually solve problems of recovering countries which are on the brink of collapse after long wars and conflicts. Peacekeepers often organize elections in the territories of their activities, participate in reformation of police and judiciary system, are engaged in the protection of human rights, monitor the observance of the rights of men and women, demine areas, and support measures for the return of refugees to their homelands.
Today more than 72 thousand soldiers and 15 000 civilians are involved in 18 peacekeeping operations around the world.
