You are on page 1of 4

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 20
th
century. The Ministry of Defenses 2005 White Book
specifically chapter VII Proyeccin Internacional de las Fuerzas Armadas subchapter
El Per en misiones de paz clearly illustrates the countrys commitments to the United
Nations peacekeeping operations. With a young populationthe 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 Capacitacin 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 Perus 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
Perus Congress, Fredy Otarola Pearanda, 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 Per 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.

You might also like