UNA-USA Position Paper Peacebuilding Commission (PERU) Topic: The Role of Youth in Peacekeeping
Peru was a founding member of the United Nations and as such, the country has sustained a continuous interest in UN peacekeeping operations. It is a pioneer of Latin American involvement in such operations, particularly well known for deployments in the Second UN Emergency Force (UNEF II) and the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the mid 20th century. The Ministry of Defense’s 2005 White Book specifically chapter VII “Proyección Internacional de las Fuerzas Armadas” subchapter “El Perú en misiones de paz” clearly illustrates the country’s commitments to the United Nations peacekeeping operations. With a young population—the median age being 26— Peru is one of the most progressive nations. In 2003 Peru signed the Memorandum of Understanding with respect to the contribution of provision of personnel, major equipment, and self-sustainment support services to the United Nations. The Peruvian Ministry of Defense, Joing Command of the Armed Forces, Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Evonomy and Finance all provide support for each operation. In accordance, Peru created its own peacekeeping training center, Centro de Entrenamiento y Capacitación para Operaciones de Paz (CECOPAZ) or the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights of the Armed Forces of Peru. It is the first of its kind in South America and in 2009, created its first female force of peacekeeping. The education curriculum not only includes standard military measures, but many others. Some include environment, civil-military relations,
mission integration, political affairs, civil affairs, civil society, human rights, humanitarian law, and child protection. According to the government, UN peacekeeping missions, “constitutes one of the objectives of our foreign policy and is of national interest, as it also provides an opportunity for the Peruvian government to have a relevant role in the international arena. Furthermore, [participation in UN peacekeeping missions] increases the high level of professionalism of the personnel of the defense sector. This participation in peace operations promotes international cooperation and confidence building mechanisms.” As an institutional rationale, Peru also looks favorable upon Peruvian troops forming close relations with foreign soldiers. The country cooperated with Argentina to create a bilateral engineering company and further discussed a Peruvian and Chilean unit of military personnel for UN peacekeeping operations. In addition, a key part of Peru’s role in the peacebuilding commission is the International Peace Studies Center of Peru. As a strategic partner of the World Mediation Organization, Canada Pearson Centre, Center for Conflict Dynamics at Eckerd College and many others, the IPSCP leads in crisis management and conflict resolution. This center also works in cooperation with CECOPAZ and conducted a conference in 2013; among national participants were those from Colombia, USA, and Bolivia. First, the organization offers training of all personnel involved in activities to the UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding security sector reform, protection of civilians, minorities, justice sector, promotion of gender perspectives and more. Not only do they provide training services, but also consulting services regarding prevention, evaluation and monitoring of social or environmental conflict resolution, proactive and sustainable management of
crises, and development of social responsibility projects. Individual consultants are even deployed as operational expert teams in UN field missions. While both organizations show clear incentives from the country of Peru in regards to education of humanitarian aspects as well as military, the federal government has depicted favorable opinions on youth involvement. In August 2013, the President of Peru’s Congress, Fredy Otarola Peñaranda, presented a letter of recognition to the Global Peace Foundation and Global Peace Youth Corps for youth service and peace building initiatives. In Peru also exists the “Brigada de Voluntarios Bolivarianos del Perú” which is part of the United Network of Young Peacebuilders. Their main focus to implement “voluntary service activities with international focus, aiming at social cohesion and solidarity.” As Kofi Annan once said, “Any society that does not succeed in tapping into the energy and creativity of its youth will be left behind.” In order for Peru to ensure the sustained role of youth in the international community, the country should consider the subsequent proposals: 1. Encouraging more organizations like the International Peace Studies of Peru to train and consult future generations of peacebuilders and peacekeeping troops; not only on military strategies but overall humanitarian law. 2. Creation of bilateral or multilateral dialogues between countries to guide the path to greater youth involvement. With similar cultural, economical, political, or social countries that have achieved or are in the process of achieving such foundation in peacebuilding directing other governments, advancements and reforms will be made easier.
3. Expanding current discourses regarding Peruvian involvement in UN peacekeeping operations. To reach out to the youth, the country must be debated in relation to Peruvian foreign policy and defense issues. This will combat the general indifference about these missions and create greater Peruvian participation.
Works Cited Annan, Kofi. "Kofi Annan on International Youth Day: Let the Young Lead." Skoll World Forum. Forbes, 12 Aug. 2013. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. "Centro Internacional De Estudios De Paz Del Peru (CIEPP)." Centro Internacional De Estudios De Paz Del Peru (CIEPP), n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. Peru. Ministerio De Defensa. Libro Blanco De La Defensa Nacional. N.p.: n.p., 2005. Print. "Peruvian Congress Recognizes GPF/GPYC Service and Peacebuilding Initiatives." Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation, 15 Aug. 2013. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. Sanchez, Wilder A. "Contributor Profile: Peru." Country Profiles 21 (2013): n. pag. Oct. 2013. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
