by Kevin Gilroy

25 May 2007

Reflecting on this special day where we pay tribute to the thousands of women and men who serve in UN peacekeeping operations, two notions are very close to my heart.  

First, as a UN staff member, I feel we should all be extremely proud to be part of an organization which provides such effective peace and security to tens of millions of people.  People, who by no fault of their own, have suffered terribly and had their lives shattered due to conflicts and the dire humanitarian consequences which result and affect an entire generation.

To be part of an organization which pragmatically and operationally addresses these global wrongs is truly rewarding and inspiring. When you think about it, outside of the US military in Iraq, the UN’s “Blue Helmet” peacekeeping forces are the second largest active military in the world, keeping peace, and providing humanitarian space in some 18 of the world’s most difficult conflict / humanitarian situations. Often under-recognized and under-reported, it is good that we have this International Day to reflect on how very significant the UN’s role and impact is in the realm of global peace and security.

When we think of peacekeeping, we usually – and rightfully – think of the thousands of women and men in uniform who are the actual “peacekeepers”, and it really is these fine professionals we salute today.  Yet behind the uniformed military and police contingents, are thousands of national and international civilians who support the troops and police on a daily basis, enabling them to keep the peace, as well as to ensure that the UN’s larger peace efforts in areas such as the rule of law, human rights and humanitarian access are also addressed and implemented.

It is here where the second notion close to my heart comes to mind – that of feeling very privileged:  Privileged to be part of UNDP’s UN Volunteer program, and to have been part of UNV’s role on the civilian side of UN peacekeeping since our first involvement some 15 years ago in Cambodia with the UNTAC operation.  Privileged to have directly met and worked with thousands of UNV volunteers in numerous operations – some of the most amazing people anyone could ever be lucky enough to meet.

Without doubt, the highlights of my career thus far have been the special times spent with these exceptional people in some of the most difficult places on earth – to see them proud of their work, proud of the contributions they make to the local communities they live in, and to the larger peacekeeping mandates they operate within.  On this special International Day of the UN Peacekeepers, we salute these outstanding UNV volunteers along with all peacekeepers.

Kevin Gilroy heads UNV's Special Operations Unit, which deploys over 2,000 volunteers to support UN peacekeeping and special political operations worldwide.