Peace and Reconciliation

Peacekeeping is defined as international enforcement and supervision of a truce between hostile states or communities.¹ The United Nations is one of the leading organizations in international peacekeeping. The United Nations’ three tenants for the construction and facilitation of peacekeeping are consent of the parties involved, impartiality and lack of force — unless in self-defense According to the United Nations, peace enforcement and peacekeeping are distinct. Peace enforcement does not require mutual consent, and may include force. However, peacekeeping requires consent, and uses all means necessary to avoid force, unless mandated by UN authorities, or the parties involved in the conflict.² Should a peacekeeping deployment be deemed necessary after analysis of the conflict by multiple departments within the United Nations, the nations involved contribute military personnel to the operation.³ With both party’s consent, the United Nations facilitates a conversation between the parties to negotiate peace terms.⁴ Approximately one million men and women have served in the United Nations since 1948,⁵ and over 3,500 have died in their peacekeeping efforts.⁶