Peacekeeping Finland Exhibition

Finnish peacekeepers searching for Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) in Afghanistan.
Finland has been a member of the United Nations since 1955.
Finnish peacekeepers in Chad. (Photo: Juha Honkala.)
Finnish peacekeepers in Chad. (Photo: Juha Honkala.)
President Martti Ahtisaari successfully led peace negotiations between the Free Aceh Movement and the Indonesian government in 2005. (Photo: CMI.)
Finnish police officers at the African Union/UN Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID), Sudan. (Photo: Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.)
Finnish officers training others in Liberia, 2009. (Photo: Finnish Defence Forces.)
Since 1968 more than 4.500 officers from over 70 countries have been trained in Finland to become military observers for the United Nations in conflict areas all around the world. (Photo: FINCENT.)

Peacekeeping

Finland has a long track record in international peace operations. 50.000 men and women have served in some 30 different operations since Suez in 1956. Finnish troops are well-educated professionals with special knowhow, state-of-the-art technology and time-proven expertise.

Currently Finland contributes to UN-led operations in the Middle-East, India and Pakistan, and Liberia. Moreover, Finland is active in several UN-mandated operations around the world. Most of Finland’s troops are from the reserve, and 100% are volunteers.

Peacebuilding

Finland takes active part in strengthening democratization, respect for human rights and the rule of law, good governance and functioning civil society in post-conflict areas. Finland is rated as the top country in the EU in developing peacebuilding capabilities.

Finnish civilian experts are currently spread around the world to some 20 missions. They work with assisting police, judicial systems, border control, war crimes investigation and other public authorities.

Mediation and capacity building

Finland has recently participated in peace mediation and capacity building through various actions. The peace in Aceh would not have been achieved without Finland’s support. Finland also had a key role in mediating the crisis in Georgia.

Contributing to peacekeeping capacity is also essential. To give an example, Finland has helped African crisis management capabilities in many ways, mainly focusing on training and education.

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