Keeping the Peace
2 257 words
“Explain how Australia met the world through peacekeeping efforts in the Post-war period”
Since the end of World War II, Australia has become increasingly aware of its image in the global arena. Australia has long been proud of its reputation as a strong supporter of the United Nations and in short a “good international citizen”. With the “enthusiasm of an idealist and the satisfaction of a creator”, Australia has played an active role in the UN’s establishment; the Labor government saw the organisation as a means of promoting peace and harmony throughout the world, reducing international tensions, and as an opportunity for smaller powers to influence those greater. Peacekeeping operations began with sincere intent over 60 years ago in Indonesia 1947, and continue to the present day . This essay will discuss the changing patterns of government attempts at peacekeeping initiatives in the post war period, controversy surrounding the operations including motivations and justification, and a case study on Australian and United Nations peacekeeping in East Timor, to best illustrate how Australia met the world and its inhabitant nations through its peacekeeping efforts.
Peacekeeping is defined by the United Nations as “a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace.” Peacekeepers therefore assist the peace process in conflict areas and monitor and observe progress. As aforementioned, peacekeeping began in earnest in Indonesia 1947, under the UN Consular Commission, and UNGOC, the UN Good Offices Commission . There, 4 military observers were involved and approximately 45 personnel to monitor ceasefires and ensure peace between Dutch colonists and Indonesian nationalists during the transfer of sovereignty. Shortly after in 1948, Australian Foreign Minister Dr H.V. Evatt became president of the General...