Peacekeeping: A job suited only for soldiers?

Former UN secretary-general Dag Hammarskjöld's famous paradox says: "Peacekeeping is not a job for soldiers, but only soldiers can do it." Does it essentially mean that peacekeeping is destined only for uniformed personnel?

A stable environment in any country takes orchestrated effort from all stakeholders working in harmony. Why should peacekeeping be different in a war-torn and conflict shaken country? Of course, Dag didn't mean that unless someone is a soldier, he or she can't contribute to peacekeeping.

Since peacekeeping is a collective effort combining military, police, and civilians, his statement exceedingly applauds the undying contribution of the military component in maintaining peace worldwide for obvious reasons. 

That doesn't mean that the contributions of civilian counterparts are insignificant. In fact, there is a growing perception among uniformed personnel that the civilians run peacekeeping and the military only deliver muscle power. 

Let us look at the United Nations (UN) working environment holistically to understand this phenomenon. According to UN peacekeeping operations data, as of 28 February 2021, over 120 countries contribute over 100,000 field personnel including military, police and civilians to UN Peacekeeping.

There are currently 13 active UN peacekeeping missions across three continents led by the Department of Peace Operation in which over 14,000 civilians are now serving. Overall, according to UN statistics, over 44,000 civilians are working under the UN at different capacities in every corner of the globe.  

There is an entire army of civilians who are working for the UN either in one of its 193 member state locations or conflict-prone areas. How many of them are from Bangladesh? Bangladesh may be the top troops contributing country in UN missions providing 6722 military and police personnel as of 28 February 2021; nevertheless, the percentage of Bangladeshi civilians working in the UN is meagre. 

But, why is that? Aren't we capable enough? Or, are our options limited? Let's see the choices where civilians can contribute under the UN. Civilian staff members work to perform many of the mandated tasks of peacekeeping operations. 

If you thought your options were limited just because you didn't wear a uniform, think again! In fact, employment opportunities for a qualified civilian are so diverse that it must feel otherwise. Despite the long list of employment opportunities, there is hardly any Bangladeshi civilian representation in the UN mission area. 

They are also serving in many support capacities in the areas of administration, communication, technology, logistics, supply chain management, medical, security, transport, aviation, engineering, finance, human resources, human rights, information management, information systems, technology, management and programme analysis, procurement, and public information etc. 

The list goes on. Civilians are also working in addressing rule of law, child and women protection, civil affairs, electoral affairs, humanitarian affairs, legal affairs, political affairs, social affairs, promoting mine awareness etc. 

If you thought your options were limited just because you didn't wear a uniform, think again! In fact, employment opportunities for a qualified civilian are so diverse that it must feel otherwise. Despite the long list of employment opportunities, there is hardly any Bangladeshi civilian representation in the UN mission area. 

In my perception, the problem of limited participation by Bangladeshi civilians in the UN environment is not regarding qualification, but the root rests in the attitude and ignorance. To understand this, let's consider the HSC and equivalent examinations of 2020. 

A total of 15, 89,427 students passed the milestone including the madrasah education board and the technical education board. How many will dream to start a job under the UN?

Selected_peacekeepers on patrol in Bunia, Ituri Province, DRC. At least 132 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace. Photo :Collected

Only time can say that; however, the answer is predictable. Every pupil's dream in Bangladesh is to become a doctor or an engineer or a government official. We are indoctrinated in that way. 

We don't see our kith and kin applying for these jobs; we don't get to see anyone succeed in this sector, our guardians don't encourage us, our Alma Matters don't generate vision. This vicious cycle is restricting us from dreaming big, including making a career under the UN. 

The dreamers can have a wonderful career. If we try, some of us can surely be like Ameerah Haq. From a humble beginning as a junior officer, Bangladeshi technocrat Haq served as UN Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Field Support, the highest-ranking Bangladeshi official at the UN, from April 2012 till July 2014. 

She also served as the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Timor-Leste and Head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in East Timor (UNMIT). She started her job back in 1976; whereas, Bangladesh started contributing to peacekeeping from 1988. Why can't we be like her?

The charm of working in a multinational, multi-dimensional environment is enormous. The UN offers a challenging working environment having plenty of opportunities to do creative work and scope for effective contribution worldwide. 

Besides, the prospect of a job with the UN is really inspiring along with the encouraging remuneration that can sufficiently meet individual needs and support the national economy substantially if a large number of Bangladeshi civilians are employed. However, it's a competitive job market, and the vacancies are filled up continuously by competent candidates. 

Bangladesh's role as the top troops contributing country is a remarkable achievement; however, our civilian participation doesn't commensurate. We need to strive hard for making a balance in this arena; we need more Bangladeshi citizens who are eager to earn laurels like Bangladeshi peacekeepers. It would be even better to see some top-ranking Bangladeshi civilian counterparts working in the UN. 

Thirty-three years have passed since we first took part in the UN mission. We really need to open our horizons and grab all available opportunities. Other countries are doing it. Why not us? 

Strong educational backup, students' awareness, change of guardians' mentality, and strategic guidance may bring positive changes and substantially increase our participation in the UN environment. Let's get on with the dream to work for peace together - military, police and civilian combined. After all, peacekeeping is a combined effort. 

 
Lieutenant Colonel Golam Towhid Al Kibria has participated in the UN mission in DR Congo. Email: [email protected]