Latest news with #PeacekeepersDay
CTV News
10-08-2025
- General
- CTV News
Hundreds gather to mark Peacekeepers Day in Calgary
Hundreds of people paid tribute to the fallen Sunday at Peacekeepers Park in Garrison Green S.W. Peacekeepers Day takes place as a tribute to nine Canadian peacekeepers who were killed in 1974 when their plane was shot down by three Syrian missiles. Retired peacekeeper Richard Wright was part of that 1974 peacekeeping mission in Suez and was there Sunday. Wright said Peacekeepers Day serves an important purpose. 'We don't teach history in school anymore, and this gives us the opportunity to tell people about Canada's peacekeepers,' he said. 'I ran into a chap yesterday. He had never heard of peacekeeping,' Wright said. 'Had no idea what peacekeeping was, and that is an abomination, but it's the reality in Canada and the Canadian education system -- our kids and our grandkids and our great grandkids are losing out on the history of this country. Richard Wright Retired Lt. - Col Richard Wright at Peacekeeper Park Sunday in Calgary. (Tyson Fedor, CTV Calgary) 'So when you get about 450 people, which is about we had today out here, the majority of them are aware of what this is, but there's a lot of people from this neighborhood who had no idea what this was, and they came out and stayed for the whole thing, and I think they're a little bit more richer for staying.' One of those in attendance Sunday was Sian Lesueur, whose son, Prvt. Garrett William Chidley, was killed in Afghanistan on Dec. 30, 2009. 'I have to be honest, I'm from Vancouver area, and we never had anything like this in Vancouver,' Lesueur said. 'So when I was invited to this, I thought I'll go and see what it's about. Peacekeepers Day, Calgary, Aug. 10, 2025 Around 450 people attended Peacekeepers Day Sunday in Calgary. (Tyson Fedor, CTV Calgary) 'And I had not realized until I'd spoken to the other Silver Cross families that I've met and already know how important this day is,' she added. 'That's what Canada is known for, is peace keeping. So I think it will be very important to me.' For more about National Peacekeepers Day, go here.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Two Indian peacekeepers to be honoured posthumously on International Peacekeepers Day
Two Indian peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag last year will be honoured posthumously by the United Nations as it commemorates International Day of UN Peacekeepers this week. Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, who served with the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who was deployed with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), will be honoured posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjold medal at a solemn ceremony here on May 29 on the occasion of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, a statement said. India is the 4th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping. It currently deploys more than 5,300 military and police personnel to the UN peace operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara. During ceremonies at the world body's headquarters to mark Peacekeepers Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will lay a wreath to honour the more than 4,400 UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948. Guterres will also preside over a ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjold Medals will be awarded posthumously to 57 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers who lost their lives serving under the UN flag last year. The Secretary-General will also present awards to the 2024 Military Gender Advocate of the Year, Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme from Ghana, and the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award to Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone. Both of them serve with the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA). Last year, Major Radhika Sen, who served with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), received the prestigious '2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award' from Guterres. The theme for this year's International Day of UN Peacekeepers is the 'Future of Peacekeeping', which emphasises that the 'Pact for the Future' – adopted by world leaders in September last year – includes a commitment to adapt peacekeeping to the changing world, the statement said. In his message for the Day, Guterres said that 'today, peacekeepers face increasingly complex situations in an increasingly complex world... Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations -- and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today's realities and tomorrow's challenges.' Honouring the service of the peacekeepers, Guterres said: 'We draw inspiration from their resilience, dedication and courage. And we remember all the brave women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace. We will never forget them – and we will carry their work forward.' Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said in his message that peacekeeping personnel are 'our most important capability. The sacrifices made by our peacekeepers call for more than remembrance; they demand action.' 'Throughout its history, peacekeeping has always adapted to ever-changing contexts to achieve results. The future of peacekeeping hinges on our collective commitment to continue to adapt and invest — so we can continue delivering hope and protection where it's needed most,' he added. The International Day of UN Peacekeepers was established by the UN General Assembly in 2002 to pay tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping, and honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. In 1948, the decision was made to deploy military observers to the Middle East to supervise the implementation of Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements, in what became the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation. Since then, more than two million peacekeepers have served in 71 operations around the world. Today, about 68,000 women and men serve as military, police and civilian personnel in 11 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, and 119 countries currently contribute uniformed personnel.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Two Indian peacekeepers to be honoured posthumously on International Peacekeepers Day
Two Indian peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the U.N. flag last year will be honoured posthumously by the United Nations as it commemorates International Day of U.N. Peacekeepers this week. Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, who served with the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who was deployed with the U.N. Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), will be honoured posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjold medal at a solemn ceremony on May 29 on the occasion of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, a statement said. India is the fourth largest contributor of uniformed personnel to U.N. Peacekeeping. It currently deploys more than 5,300 military and police personnel to the U.N. peace operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara. During ceremonies at the world body's headquarters to mark Peacekeepers Day, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will lay a wreath to honour the more than 4,400 U.N. peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948. Mr Guterres will also preside over a ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjold Medals will be awarded posthumously to 57 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers who lost their lives serving under the U.N. flag last year. The Secretary-General will also present awards to the 2024 Military Gender Advocate of the Year, Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme from Ghana, and the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award to Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone. Both of them serve with the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA). Last year, Major Radhika Sen, who served with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), received the prestigious '2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award' from Mr Guterres. The theme for this year's International Day of U.N. Peacekeepers is the 'Future of Peacekeeping', which emphasises that the 'Pact for the Future', adopted by world leaders in September last year, includes a commitment to adapt peacekeeping to the changing world, the statement said. In his message for the Day, Mr Guterres said that 'today, peacekeepers face increasingly complex situations in an increasingly complex world... Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations — and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today's realities and tomorrow's challenges.' Honouring the service of the peacekeepers, Mr Guterres said: 'We draw inspiration from their resilience, dedication and courage. And we remember all the brave women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace. We will never forget them – and we will carry their work forward.' Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said in his message that peacekeeping personnel are 'our most important capability. The sacrifices made by our peacekeepers call for more than remembrance; they demand action.' 'Throughout its history, peacekeeping has always adapted to ever-changing contexts to achieve results. The future of peacekeeping hinges on our collective commitment to continue to adapt and invest — so we can continue delivering hope and protection where it's needed most,' he added. The International Day of U.N. Peacekeepers was established by the U.N. General Assembly in 2002 to pay tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping, and honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. In 1948, the decision was made to deploy military observers to the Middle East to supervise the implementation of Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements, in what became the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation. Since then, more than two million peacekeepers have served in 71 operations around the world. Today, about 68,000 women and men serve as military, police and civilian personnel in 11 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, and 119 countries currently contribute uniformed personnel.
Deccan Herald
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Two Indian peacekeepers to be honoured posthumously on International Peacekeepers Day for sacrifice in line of duty
During ceremonies at the world body's headquarters to mark Peacekeepers Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will lay a wreath to honour the more than 4,400 UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948.
