Lesson 1
United nations peacekeeping operations
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In this exercise we’ll concentrate on the words and word combinations to be sure you know what they mean. |
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1 |
peacekeeping |
active maintenance of a truce between nations or communities, especially by an international military force |
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2 |
deployment |
of troops, resources, or equipment is the organization and positioning of them so that they are ready for quick action |
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3 |
personnel |
people employed in an organization or engaged in an organized undertaking such as military service |
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4 |
truce |
an agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting or arguing for a certain time |
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5 |
ceasefire |
an arrangement in which countries or groups of people that are fighting each other agree to stop fighting |
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6 |
buffer zone |
an area created to separate opposing forces or groups which belongs to neither of them |
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7 |
refugee |
a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster |
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8 |
supervise |
observe and direct the execution of (a task, project, or activity) |
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9 |
observer |
a person who watches or notices something |
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10 |
separation |
the action or state of moving or being moved apart |
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11 |
disarm |
take a weapon or weapons away from (a person, force, or country) |
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12 |
demobilize |
take (troops) out of active service, typically at the end of a war |
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2. |
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Read the text and translate it into Ukrainian. |
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Un peacekeeping: the first steps
Traditionally, UN peacekeeping meant the deployment of military personnel. The blue berets were normally deployed in international conflicts after a truce was signed.
From 1948 to 1989 there were two main types of UN mission:
Observer misions with unarmed military observers. For example, the military observers deployed in 1988 to monitor the ceasefire between Iran and Iraq.
Peacekeeping forces deployed in an area of separation or buffer zone. For example, the UN soldiers deployed in 1974 after Israeli and Syrian forces stopped fighting.
Peacekeeping today
In the 1990s this idea of UN peacekeeping changed. Today’s peacekeepers often deploy to stop civil wars and missions are more complex and have more objectives. For example, UN troops disarm and demobilize soldiers, help refugees return to their homes and clear mines.
In today’s peacekeeping missions there are many more civilian peacekeepers, including police officers, engineers, medical personnel and drivers. These civilians build roads, schools and hospitals, and they supervise elections. An example of this kind of mission was the UN mission to Cambodia 1992-1993.
3. |
Work in pairs. Answer the questions. |
Does the country participate in UN peacekeeping missions?
What are / were the names of these missions?
Do you know anyone who has any experience of UN peacekeeping missions?
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4. |
Match the words with the definitions. |
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area of separation |
to disarm |
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ceasefire |
refugee |
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to demobilize |
truce |
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A permanent agreement to stop fighting. ______
Sides in a conflict don’t deploy soldiers here. ______
This person leaves his home because of war. ______
When a soldier becomes a civilian. ______
A temporary agreement to stop fighting. ______
When you take away someone’s weapons. ______
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5. |
Read the text again and complete the chart. |
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traditional peacekeeping |
peacekeeping today |
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when |
after a truce is signed |
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before a truce is signed |
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who |
mostly military |
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military and civilian |
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where |
international conflicts |
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civil wars |
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what |
deploy in a buffer zone |
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help refugees go home |
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clear mines |
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supervise elections |
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monitor ceasefire agreements |
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6. |
Work in pairs. What do peacekeepers need to know about a mission area before they deploy? Think about these things… |
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the country’s laws |
the religion |
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the country’s history |
the terrain |
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the people |
the language; English |
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7. |
Here are some rules for peacekeepers. Put the rules in the table. |
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Drink alcohol when you are on duty.
Respect the laws and religion of the country.
Respect the environment of the country.
React emotionally.
Talk to journalists without permission.
Be punctual.
always |
never |
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