Ottawa, Ontario — In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 57/129 establishing International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers to pay tribute to “all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations, for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.” It is held each year on May 29.

Tilly O’Neill Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, looks on these women and men as role models. “Each of these brave peacekeepers should be a source of inspiration for us,” she said. “We should follow their example and maintain our efforts to make the world a peaceful place in which to live.”

Peacekeeping has long since evolved beyond its traditional role of monitoring of ceasefires. Today, United Nations missions engage in such tasks as assisting political transitions, building institutions, helping to spread of the rule of law, supporting economic reconstruction, supervising elections, disarming militias and former combatants, facilitating humanitarian aid programs, and resettling refugees and displaced persons.

Peacekeeping missions cannot end wars by themselves.  But they do offer the best possible way of ensuring there is a sustainable peace.  On International Day for United Nations Peacekeepers, we should remember that the most expensive peacekeeping operation costs far less than the cheapest war. That is an investment well worth making.

“On this day, let’s honour the memory of those who gave their lives so that the world may one day live in peace,” said O’Neill Gordon.