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“It's tragic and it's unimaginable, but at the same time, people live their lives and they do the best they can, and they remain generous and warm, despite the circumstances that they live in. You go to these places and you see the worst and you see the best, and it's all in one package, and it is just something that really, really touches you. It's not like a regular job.”

Vivian van de Perre’s calling is to help nations transition from conflict to peace. Now the deputy head of peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), she leads a life-saving operation in the rebel-held city of Goma.

A recent peace accord has raised hopes of an end to the violence that has plagued eastern DRC for the past three decades. In this episode, recorded before the peace agreement, Vivian van de Perre reflects on the impact of funding cuts on active war zones, on peacekeeping as a delicate balancing act, and shares why she falls for every place she serves.

“[Losing colleagues is] heartbreaking, and you can't think about it all day long, because it will be so demoralizing you have to keep going. Nobody expects to not come back.”

Photo: ©United Nations/MONUSCO

For nearly 80 years, UN peacekeepers have made tangible impact to communities in conflict zones—from Liberia and Namibia to Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and Timor-Leste—helping countries transition from conflict to lasting peace. Today, civilians, military, and police personnel are deployed across . Observed under the theme “The Future of Peacekeeping”, this year’s International Day of UN Peacekeepers (29 May) looks at the invaluable contributions peacekeepers have made and underscores the need to adapt peacekeeping to meet evolving global challenges. #PKDay

In the lead-up to the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 10-year commemoration of the , the  (13-14 May) is the latest in a series of meetings held at the Head of State, Government, or Ministerial level. The event reaffirms their political commitment to , tackles emerging challenges, and develops innovative strategies, as crucial for lasting peace. The meeting aims to build resilient and effective global peacekeeping efforts through enhanced partnerships and investment.

According to the Under-Secretary-General of Peace Operations, there are many good reasons for increasing the number of women peacekeepers in UN Missions. UN News’s Anshu Sharma spoke to Mr. Lacroix at the first-ever Conference for Women Peacekeepers, held in the Indian capital New Delhi on 24 and 25 February, where he was representing the United Nations. The Under-Secretary-General argued that changing the gender balance benefits the work environment in Peacekeeping Missions, improving conduct and discipline. Ms. Sharma began by asking him why it was important to make the trip to New Delhi, and what was achieved.

At UN Headquarters in New York, Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix discusses issues related to the ongoing conflict in Lebanon and continued attacks against UN troops stationed along the so-called 'Blue Line.' The interview is conducted by the UN's Director of News & Media, Ian Phillips.

For 76 years, United Nations peacekeepers have worked to save and change lives in the world’s most fragile political and security situations. Observed under the theme “Fit for the future, building better together,” this year’s International Day of UN Peacekeepers (29 May) highlights the invaluable contributions military, police and civilian peacekeepers have made over the last seven decades. On this day, let us honor the dedication of over 70,000 United Nations peacekeepers serving across in conflict-affected regions spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

On the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members (25 March), we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have lost their lives in the service of the United Nations. To protect UN staff, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated personnel on 9 December 1994. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on all countries to fully implement the 1994 Convention and its 2005 Optional Protocol. Since 2022, 381 UN personnel have been detained. In total, 27 UN personnel are still in detention.

On September 21, we commemorate the International Day of Peace. Today, as the world faces the largest number of conflicts since World War II, is calling for collective action towards sustainable peace.

Premiering September 14, 2023, the "Peace Begins With Me" showcases a creative collaboration between Congolese peacekeeper and musician Pacifique Akilimali and Nigerian peace advocate and poet Maryam Bukar Hassan. See Michael Douglas, Nancy Ajram & others as they join UN Peacekeeping in the fight for peace.

Women police officers play a crucial role across the full spectrum of policing, from crime prevention to criminal investigations, the protection of human rights, and safety and security. Evidence shows that their full, equal and meaningful participation in all policing functions is vital to achieving more effective, efficient and accountable services. On this inaugural commemoration of the International Day of Police Cooperation (7 September), the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing, together with INTERPOL, highlights the vital role of women in policing.

As peacekeeping has evolved throughout the years, women have been increasingly deployed in police, military, and civilian operations. Their heightened representation continues to have a tangible impact on peacekeeping environments. This year marks the 75th anniversary of which honors all uniformed and civilian individuals who have served and continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations around the world for their valuable contributions to peace. celebrates the contributions of women peacekeepers

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers (29 May) is a day to pay tribute to UN peacekeepers and this year, it also marks the 75th anniversary of . For 75 years, UN peacekeepers have worked to save and change lives in the world’s most fragile political and security situations. This year’s observance “” recognizes the service and sacrifice of peacekeepers, past and present, including more than 4200 who have given their lives under the UN flag. Peace begins with all of us! Join the campaign online by using #PeaceBegins and #PK75.

The absence of justice directly fuels conflict. Lack of justice, be it actual or perceived, causes resentment and conflict at both the individual and societal levels. United Nations peace operations that provide support to national justice and security institutions are governed by UN Security Council resolutions. The overall objective remains to strengthen national capacities; extend the authority of the State; and enhance the effectiveness and inclusiveness of justice and security institutions as well as confidence in those institutions, with a view to preventing violence, fighting impunity and sustaining peace. 

Peacekeepers are ordinary people, working in dangerous and strenuous conditions to achieve extraordinary outcomes. They help prevent conflict, protect civilians, advance political solutions, and support democratic processes. For 75 years, UN peacekeeping has made a tangible difference in the lives of millions of people caught up in catastrophic conflict. Despite the challenges, peacekeepers persevere, alongside many partners, in the collective pursuit of peace.

If you look at the data, missions succeed most of the time. They significantly reduce civilian casualties, shorten conflicts, and help make peace agreements stick. In two thirds of completed missions since the Cold War, UN peacekeepers succeeded in fulfilling their mandate. Professor Lise Howard of Georgetown University leads us through the data and the history of UN peacekeeping.

At a roundtable discussion on , Secretary-General António Guterres made a rallying call to partners to summon the political will and recommit to women as key agents of peace. In the presence of four women leaders from Mali, Central African Republic, Darfur and Cyprus, the Secretary-General heard about the progress and remaining challenges in a number of key areas including women’s participation in peace processes and conflict resolution, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and ensuring women’s voices as voters and candidates in elections.