The University of World Economy and Diplomacy and the United Nations information office (UNO) in Tashkent held a Model UN conference and debate to mark the annual International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
 
The debates, held on 28 May 2009, focused on the topic “A dilemma for the UN peacekeeping operations: providing ways to achieve self-sustaining peace or leaving conflicts unresolved?” Using case studies from past and current UN peacekeeping operations, two groups of students from the Faculty of International Relations
presented their arguments on this theme to their university peers.

The first group claimed “it was not the job of peacekeepers to create a permanent solution. The goal is to stabilize a situation so as to give politicians and diplomats the opportunity to establish a permanent self-sustaining peace.” On the contrary, the second team insisted that the current peacekeeping model was far from perfect and should be criticized for leaving conflicts unresolved. They said peacekeeping only contributed to maintaining an unstable status quo and did not offer any way out in the long run. 

The heated debates revealed no winner but ended in a peaceful consensus. Both sides agreed that UN peacekeepers deserved far greater support from Member States to carry out their mandates in today’s complex and challenging world.  With a minute of silence, they honoured the memory of all men and women who had lost their lives in the cause of peace.

On 30 May 2009 students from University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Westminster University, Tashkent Law Institute, University of World Languages and International Business School gathered in Tashkent to debate another highly topical issue, “Security Implications of Pakistan’s Tribal Areas and the emergence of neo-Taliban.” The Model UN delegates underscored the need for large-scale international support for both Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan to tackle the new threat to stability in the region.

On 29 May 2009, a roundtable entitled “Peacekeeping in the 21st Century” was held at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Washington. The roundtable, hosted by United Nations Association USA's Council of Organizations, the Partnership for Effective Peacekeeping, and UNIC Washington, was organized to commemorate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Former peacekeepers and peacekeeping policy experts engaged in a dialogue about the current state of UN peacekeeping.

For the third consecutive year, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Pretoria commemorated the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. This year’s event was held at the symbolically important venue, Freedom Park, in Pretoria and the commemoration had even more resonance as South Africa was now a major contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.

The event was organized in collaboration with the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) and UNIFEM offices in South Africa. In addition to a formal commemoration, a short film on women in peacekeeping was screened and a photo exhibition on the history of UN peacekeeping globally was on display.

The ceremony took place on 29 May 2009 in an auditorium at Freedom Park called the Sanctuary, which provided a suitably solemn and serene venue for the event. It was attended by diplomats, academics, members of civil society and UN staff. A moment of silence was observed for those peacekeepers that had lost their lives in the service of peacekeeping. The Acting UN Resident Coordinator and Representative of UNHCR in South Africa, Mr. Sanda Kimbimbi, read the Secretary-General’s message for the Day. The keynote address was delivered by the Head of MONUC in South Africa, Mr. Mujahid Alam, who paid tribute to peacekeepers globally and South African peacekeepers in particular. He spoke about the challenges facing peacekeepers and the role of South Africa in UN peacekeeping missions in Africa.

The short film on Women in Peacekeeping highlighted the theme of this year’s commemoration, namely “Women in peacekeeping: the power to empower.” The eight-minute film provided a concise and pertinent insight into the role of women peacekeepers in several missions. At the end of the official proceedings, participants viewed the photo exhibition.

View film "Women in Peacekeeping: the Power to Empower" on the United Nations channel on YouTube

On 29 May 2009, the United Nations Association of Tunisia (ATNU) held a conference and exhibit in Carthage to pay tribute to Tunisia's contribution to UN peacekeeping operations. Participants included representatives of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Tunis, representatives of the Foreign Ministry and the National Defence Ministry, national army field officers, experts in international law, representatives of the diplomatic corps and non-governmental offices (NGOs) in Tunis as well as former Tunisian ministers and ambassadors.

The chairman of ATNU, Ali Hachani, opened the conference by talking about the role of the United Nations Association, which was to communicate the work of the United Nations in the service of peace to members of civil society.

UNIC Tunis' National Information Officer read the message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. Mr. Ban said in his message that 113,000 military, police officers and civilians are today deployed under the banner of the United Nations to see to peacekeeping. In 2009, he added, the theme of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was "Women in Peacekeeping: The Power to Empower", to encourage the presence of women in peacekeeping and peace missions.   

The Director General of the Foreign Ministry discussed Tunisia's contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and pointed out that Tunisia's contributions demonstrate Tunisia's commitment to the principles and objectives of the United Nations.

The conference was preceded by the screening of a film illustrating Tunisian participation in various peacekeeping operations throughout the world, highlighting the participation of women in several of the operations.