Peace Operations

This paper begins with a discussion of the engagement of Latin American uniformed personnel in United Nations (UN) peace operations throughout the last decade. It then focuses on the emergence of Brazil as a key contributor to peace operations, highlighting its performance, obstacles and potentials.

On Sunday the 23rd, Brazilians and Haitians took part in a morning full of sporting activities dedicated to creating an environment of peace and boost spirits still struggling with problems a year after the devastating earthquake of January 2010. Brazilian athletes traveled to Port-au-Prince to talk about sports, children filled Kay Nou, and a six kilometer run poured energy into one of the largest sporting events ever held in Haiti.

Exactly 12 months after the tremors that shook Haiti and left its capital Port-au-Prince in rubbles, killing more than 200,000 and displacing more than a million, little has changed. At least that's how it may seem.

Thirty one Brazilians in uniform, none of them army officers, but all of them members of United Nations peacekeeping missions. They come from all over Brazil and represent a record number of police officers sent by Brazil to take part in United Nations Peacekeeping missions in 2010. Police officers from various states, lead by the Federal District, São Paulo, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Amazonas, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro are all active outside the Brazilian borders today.

A shared passion for soccer in Haiti and Brazil led Viva Rio kick start a project to foster the "beautiful game" in Haiti, building a traning center and bringing Haitian teams to train Brazil. Women's team players came to Rio de Janeiro during the pre Gold Cup session.

Prior to the quake, security had improved and residents called for declassifying Bel Air as a red zone. They wanted their neighborhood green, green for entry and green because of a campaign to bring trees and plants back into the neighborhood and to the roofs of their homes. Since the quake, the emphasis is on restoring nature so that peace will follow...

Aggravating a situation that borders on calamity is poor waste management. Fatra Pa Gen Pye, the title of the Viva Rio project that was originally concerned with removing refuse now also looks at clearing debris from the quake. "Locals have increased their purchasing power", said Leonard Jean, project coordinator.

Brazil has taken a unique path with respect to health. The country’s experience could serve as a positive influence on the reconstruction of Haitian society.

Security and Development in Peace Operations and Post-conflict Situations

An article by colonel André Luis Novaes Miranda, commander of the MINUSTAH troops, on how, after a long absence from peacekeeping missions, Brazil returned to the international scene in 2004 to accept the command of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti.