Well, this is certainly not how I wanted to start 2014: This week, Congress sent President Obama a final spending bill for the rest of the year that underfunds United Nations peacekeeping by 12 percent, cuts funds for vital missions like South Sudan, and zeroes out funding for the newest UN mission in Mali.
As we count down the final days until 2014, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on everything the …
Madiba dedicated his life to freedom and equality. He helped bring peace to his nation, and hope to the entire world. His legacy lives on in the people he has inspired. Because of him our world is better.
I’m an entrepreneur, a believer in the American dream, and the proud grandson of a United Nations peacekeeper.
The International Day of Peace is exactly one month away, and over the next 30 days, we’re celebrating those who dedicate every day to peace: United Nations peacekeepers.
Every July 18, the world celebrates Nelson Mandela International Day – a day to recognize Mandela’s contributions to freedom, equality, and human rights and to follow his example of service to build a better world.
Today, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, is the perfect time to echo Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) – a champion of a strong U.S.-UN relationship for over 25 years – in saying…
Under UN peacekeeping, it is individuals from other countries who assume great personal risk, as evidenced by the recent kidnapping of 21 Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan and the deaths of four Russian peacekeepers in Congo. Despite these significant occupational hazards, UN peacekeepers remain central to efforts like those that advance democracy in places like Liberia and strengthen government capacity and prevent conflict in South Sudan. It is therefore crucial that our nation fully fund our peacekeeping dues.
As over 10,000 of the world’s greatest athletes convene in London for the 2012 Olympic Games, three truly stand out. It is not their athletic ability, their hours in training, or their love of competition that makes their stories unique —though certainly they shine in those categories, too. Rather, it is their triumphs in rising from histories of war and conflict to represent their nations with pride. As these athletes prepare to march in Friday’s Opening Ceremonies, we are reminded of how their countries arrived at this day.
Today, United Nations Peacekeeping celebrates a birthday. At 64, I think it’s safe to say that Peacekeeping is officially in its prime. Surely, with its years have come many hard-earned accomplishments. In fact, to date there have been 67 peacekeeping operations on four continents. But ever since its infancy, this historic—and indeed heroic—institution has been an overachiever.
