Australia has a proud history of peacekeeping. On 14 September each year, we observe National Peacekeepers' Day. It commemorates the anniversary of Australia's first involvement in peace operations. Four Australians became the world's first peacekeepers to deploy into the field, in the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) on 14 September 1947.
National Peacekeepers' Day honours all Australian peacekeepers, peacemakers, peacebuilders and peace enforcers. They have made extraordinary contributions to uphold international stability and security in challenging environments.
Since 1947, over 65,000 Australians have served in peace operations, and 17 have lost their lives. This day is a time for us to recognise and remember their service and sacrifice. We also reflect on the dedication, unwavering commitment, compassion, resilience and professionalism of those who continue to serve.
Significance of the date
At the end of World War II, conflict arose in the Netherlands East Indies. The Netherlands colonial government and its military forces on one hand, and the Indonesian republicans on the other.
On 20 July 1947, the Netherlands launched Operatie Product. This strong offensive aimed to remove Republican troops from parts of Sumatra and East and West Java.
Many countries, including Australia, reacted negatively to the Netherlands' invasion of Republican territory. On 1 August, the United Nations (UN) called for a cease-fire between the Netherlands and the Republican forces to allow for mediation.
At its first meeting on 1 September, the UN Consular Commission called on its 6 members, including Australia, to send military personnel to observe the cease-fire order. In response, Australia sent 4 unarmed military observers from each branch of defence, who arrived in Java on 13 September.
On 14 September, the Australians became the world's first peacekeepers to be deployed into the field. They served alongside personnel from Belgium, Britain, China, France and the United States. The mission helped Indonesia gain independence from the Netherlands. It's been described as the start of UN peacekeeping.
Learn more about Australian peacekeepers in Indonesia from 1947 to 1951.
Operations since 1947
Since 1947, Australian service personnel have continued to support countries around the world.
Modern peacekeeping roles are diverse and include:
- clearing landmines and training others to clear them
- communications and intelligence
- disarming former combatants
- facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid
- helping war-torn communities
- maintaining safety and security during elections and peace talks
- observing ceasefires and standing between hostile armies
- providing medical care
- rebuilding or restoring infrastructure
- training international peacekeepers.
To date, Australians have contributed to over 70 international peace operations in more than 60 countries. Many are conducted under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), and some are led by regional or other bodies.
Learn more about some of the operations that have involved Australia.
Australians in peace operations
Australia has had peacekeepers in the field ever since its first deployment in 1947.
More than 65,000 Australians have served in peace operations. Australia's peacekeepers include ADF personnel, Australian police and civilians. Tragically, 17 Australians have died while serving on these operations, including military and police personnel.
Peace operations vary enormously, taking Australians to places as remote as Western Sahara and the Pacific Islands. Some missions, such as that to the Congo in 1960, have involved a handful of personnel. Others have been large undertakings involving all 3 branches of defence, civilians, and state and federal police officers. Some missions have only included unarmed state or federal police officers.
Many veterans, police and civilians are proud to have served on peace deployments. But some have witnessed human suffering and violence. It's one reason why the service experience can exact a personal toll on them and their families.
While relatively few Australians have lost their lives on peace operations, it's not a measure of the risks that peacekeepers face. It's instead a testament to their skill and professionalism and sometimes to good fortune.
Being deployed to serve your country is a very hard and proud thing to do whether it is in a conflict situation or not. Peacekeepers are there to help communities develop and become self-sufficient. Peacekeeping should be recognised as the same as all military service who have been deployed overseas.
[Trent Prince, 2019, quoted in Control: Stories of Australian Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Operations]
Civilian police involvement
Australian civil police first joined peace operations in May 1964. Forty Australian police officers were sent to Cyprus for 12 months. This deployment revealed the importance of including civilian personnel in peace operations to help civilians and local police forces.
Women in peacekeeping
The role of women in military service and civilian peace operations has grown over the years. Today, more women serve in leadership positions in UN peacekeeping than ever before.
Since the 2000s, Australian service women and female police officers have become increasingly important in peacekeeping. This reflects the UN, ADF and police agencies' efforts to create more diverse and inclusive missions.
Women serve Australia and the UN as military personnel, police officers and civilians. They serve in many different roles, often bringing a good deal of compassion to those they help.
Female peacekeepers have played a vital role in interviewing and supporting women and girls who are survivors of gender-based violence. They also help to support child victims of violence. In some cases, female peacekeepers can engage better with female civilians for cultural or religious reasons.
Commemoration of peacekeeping veterans
On Anzac Parade in Canberra, the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial commemorates Australian peacekeepers. Its dedication on 14 September 2017 was the 70th anniversary of the first Australian peace operation.
Australian Peacekeeping Memorial, Canberra Australia AWM 2018/4/297/7
International Day of UN Peacekeepers is held on 29 May each year. This is a day to recognise all uniformed and civilian personnel who have served in peace operations under the UN. Around the world, over 4,000 peacekeepers have lost their lives serving under the UN flag since 1948.