The purpose of UN Peacekeepers is to restore the peace in conflict zones and to protect civilians from localized threats. Sadly, peacekeepers have abused their power, and neglected the needs of civilians in the Global South for far too long, catching the UN’s attention. Saturday morning in SPECPOL, delegates debated whether peacekeepers should be removed from the area and discussed punishments and regulations to keep the peacekeepers in check.
Presence In The Global South Bloc is aiming to combine the number of western and localized peacekeepers. They are pushing to prioritize local efforts rather than western relief programs because, local workers have a greater impact on the region, and can better understand and help their civilians. This bloc is made up of both developing countries and wealthy countries to fund the initiative. They are also urging SPECPOL to hold peacekeepers accountable if they fail to uphold their peace-keeping values.
The next bloc that Euronews spoke to would like to push gender equality in the peacekeeping initiative. This means more female peacekeepers to protect women in the global south. By increasing the number of female peacekeepers, the number of women who experience gender based violence will go down. Additionally, this Bloc wants SPECPOL to further shine light on over-looked topics and use both an armed and unarmed approach to unrest in the Global South. This bloc is a combination of under-developed countries and developed countries alike, to incorporate multiple perspectives and have a diverse resolution.
The last bloc that was visited also had countries from all over the world. They told Euronews that peacekeepers should be able to leave a country without the country falling apart afterwards. Their bloc aims for countries to uphold the values of peace, long after peacekeepers have left. Their peacekeepers will receive cultural training, to make connections with civilians and respond with empathy and understanding. This bloc also believes that if country abuses their peacekeeping powers, they must be punished. Large nations have been getting away with misconduct, and as a punishment, this bloc suggests that UN funding should be revoked. Additionally, they say that individual peacekeepers who display misconduct should also be punished and be held accountable to their actions.
After the unmod was finished, an unmod recap was held. Additional blocs include, a bloc of African-Arab nations, a bloc against all peacekeeping in the global south, and Superbloc, which aims to empower local efforts and education peacekeepers.
Resolutions are yet to come, however there is one common theme amongst these blocs: accountability. All blocs want nations to be held responsible for any misconduct, ensuring that all civilians in the global south are safe.