OPen samento

At the very beginning of the United Nations Organization, there was a need to establish all sort of rules and criteria, which would reflect the organization’s DNA. There was the need to create a UN symbology, and that matter was not underplayed, because the founders of the organization were perfectly aware that the UN soldiers had to be promptly recognized, if they wanted to survive the vicious battle field they were going to operate at.

In 1947, UN’s General Assembly issued the Resolution 167 (II), approving the color light blue (of a sky with clouds) for the United Nations flag. Thus, the light blue came to represent the UN.

The culture of military uniforms was very much present in the post-World War II era and, soon after, the creation of a uniform for the elements that were in the service of the UN was taken into consideration.

Subsequently, in 1948, a contingent of UN Military Observers was sent to the Middle East to oversee the truce of the Israeli-Arab conflict. These Military Observers wore roughly the same type of tactic uniform, and received some articles to stick on their uniform, that reflected the fact that they were members of the United Nations. Besides and individual armband saying United Nations, the Observers carried a UN flags; and had their vehicles painted white with large ‘UN’ black letters painted on the side doors and on top of the vehicles. This particular way to paint the UN vehicles has become the current practice in all subsequent UN peacekeeping missions “

In 1956, the UN established an Emergency Force to oversee problems in the Suez Canal (UNEF). This was the first UN peacekeeping operation. Troops from different countries wore their national uniforms and added UN emblems and arm bands. To be better identified at a distance, they wore a blue beret and had their helmets painted in light blue, like the UN flag. These unique pieces, which came to be called “Blue Helmets”, were created by the Organization’s Secretary-General – Hammarskjöld – during the days that corresponded to the creation of the UNEF force “.

According to the recently deceased Sir Brian Edward Urquhart (writer and head of the UN policy sector): “What was needed was a distinct helmet easy to be recognized by a distant sniper. A blue UN beret seemed to be the answer, but it was impossible to get enough berets in time. American plastic helmets, however, were available in quantity in Europe, resulting from the Cold War, and were quickly painted with UN blue spray, just in time for the first UNEF detachments to use in their entry into Egypt “(Urquhart, p. 269).

And this was how the first Blue Helmets come to be.

No início da Organização das Nações Unidas, houve a necessidade de estabelecer regras e critérios que refletissem o ADN da organização, e a sua simbologia. Em 1947, a resolução 167 (II) da Assembleia Geral da ONU aprovou a cor azul claro (céu limpo sem núvens) para a bandeira das Nações Unidas. Dessa forma, o azul claro passou a representar a ONU.

Porém, a cultura de uniformes militares estava muito presente no pós-Segunda Guerra Mundial e, logo de seguida, ponderou-se a criação de um uniforme para os elementos que estivessem ao serviço da ONU.

Subsequentemente, em 1948, houve a necessidade de enviar para o Médio Oriente um contingente de Observadores Militares da ONU (UNMO), para supervisionarem as tréguas do conflito Israelo-árabe. Esses Observadores Militares trajavam uniformes táticos com aproximadamente o mesmo aspeto, e receberam alguns artigos que refletiam visualmente a sua pertença às Nações Unidas. Na sua apresentação individual os UNMO usavam braçadeiras com a inscrição Nações Unidas (em Inglês) e, em termos coletivos, faziam-se acompanhar de bandeiras da ONU. Também tiveram os seus veículos pintados de branco (cor da paz) com as letras ‘UN’ pintadas em ponto grande, a preto, nas portas laterais e na parte superior dos veículos. Essa pintura muito caracteristica acabou por se tornar prática corrente em todas as posteriores missões de manutenção de paz da ONU.

Em 1956, a ONU estabeleceu a Força de Emergência para a supervisão dos problemas emergentes do conflito no Canal do Suez (UNEF). Esta foi a primeira operação de manutenção da paz da ONU. Tropas de diferentes países usaram os seus uniformes nacionais e adicionaram braçadeiras das Nações Unidas e emblemas bordados da ONU. Para serem melhor identificados à distância, usavam uma boina azul e os seus capacetes foram pintados de azul claro, como a bandeira da ONU. Estas peças levariam a que os militares ao serviço da ONU passassem a ser denominados de “Capacetes Azuis”, tendo sido idealizadas pelo próprio Secretário-Geral da Organização – Hammarskjöld – durante os dias que corresponderam à criação da força UNEF.

Segundo o recentemente falecido Sir Brian Edward Urquhart (escritor e responsável pelo sector de política da ONU durante muitos anos): “O que era necessário era um capacete distinto e fácil de ser reconhecido por um franco-atirador distante. Uma boina azul da ONU parecia ser a resposta, mas era impossível conseguir boinas suficientes a tempo. Porém, havia na Europa imensos capacetes de plástico americanos, em resultado da Guerra Fria. Esses capacetes foram rapidamente disponibilizados e pintados com spray azul ONU, mesmo a tempo para os primeiros destacamentos da UNEF os usarem na sua entrada no Egito “(Urquhart, p. 269).

E assim se originou a marca indelével dos Capacetes Azuis da ONU.

O Secretário-Geral da OTAN – Mr. Jens Stoltenberg – vem a Portugal nos dias 26 e 27 de maio, para inaugurar a nova escola de comunicações da Aliança e para assistir ao desenrolar do Exercício Steadfast Defender 21.

E para que serve o Steadfast Defender? Para resolver aquilo que outras organizações com responsabilidades na área da estabilida e de segurança não conseguem – “Uniformização nos equipamentos e do modo de operar dos militares da Aliança, e certificação de que, caso necessário, podem operar em conjunto, com a mesma eficácia e elevada eficiência, em tempos recorde de resposta imediata“. Assim o escalão político dos países aliados saiba/pretenda utilizar essa ferramenta de “diplomacia com dentes”.

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/793911/steadfast-defender-21-dynamic

A paz não é algo que possamos possuir para o nosso próprio benefício. Na verdade, a paz não deve ser retida, mas sim distribuída. Talvez a terminologia da ONU deva seguir a expressão latina de Manutenção da Paz (Peace Maintenance), ou velha expressão de latim “Custodes Pacis” (custódia da paz).

Com exceção de alguns ataques terroristas (tão horríveis quanto isolados) os chamados países ocidentais têm vivido em uma era de ouro de paz e segurança. Os nossos jovens vão para a escola todos os dias sem grandes preocupações com a segurança, seus pais vão trabalhar sem se preocupar com a segurança deles, e todos nós vamos ao supermercado presumindo que as mercadorias de que precisamos estarão lá à nossa espera.

Porém, ao redor de nossas fronteiras, as situações de paz e segurança degradam-se a cada dia. Em muitos territórios, as pessoas são mortas nas ruas por razões mesquinhas, a doença prolifera e não há produtos essenciais nas lojas. Em resultado, hordas de migrantes ilegais tentam entrar nos países ocidentais, fugindo à guerra e à fome; a violência religiosa atinge toda a África, o Médio Oriente e a Ásia, com nuances de se vir a “entornar” para dentro das nossas fronteiras; e o crime organizado usa todas as oportunidades para obter lucros, não exitando recorrer a ações e atividades perversas.

A paz não é algo com que nos devemos de preocupar somente quando as balas começam a voar. Nessa altura será tarde demais para qualquer solução viável. A paz é algo que tem de ser abordado quando surge o primeiro discurso de ódio, quando não há água potável nos canos ou quando a doença aparece e não há vacinas para detê-la.

Devemos deixar de ter uma postura egoísta de estar confortavelmente instalados no nosso cantinho do planeta, e começar a sair por aí, onde surjam os problemas, para promover boas condições de vida e distribuir a paz … e adivinhe … comparado com o dinheiro gasto na reparação dos efeitos nocivos provocados pelas consequências, …, nem sequer é caro; aliás, até pode ser um negócio lucrativo.

A Aliança do Atlântico Norte (OTAN) é provavelmente um dos contribuintes mais fortes para o ambiente pacífico e estável em que a Europa e a América do Norte vivem. No entanto, como qualquer sistema vivo, se a OTAN não evoluir e não se adaptar às novas realidades, tornar-se-á irrelevante e perecerá. No dia 14 de junho de 2021, todos os Chefes de Estado Aliados vão reunir-se, no QG da OTAN, para mais uma Cimeira da Aliança. Uma Cimeira que alguém já chamou de “O encontro das democracias”, onde será discutido um novo Conceito Estratégico da Aliança Atlântica para a próxima década. Vamos ver o que sai sair de Bruxelas.

Esperemos que a ONU, em conjunto com as organizações regionais de defesa e segurança, possa fazer a “pomba da paz” voar sobre os lugares agitados da Terra, sem necessidade de “restringir” a paz a algumas, poucas, zonas do planeta.

#PKDay

The expression “Peacekeeping” doesn’t mean retaining peace (as in “to keep it”). Peace is not something we can hold for one’s own purpose. In fact, it should not be kept at all, rather distributed across the world. Maybe the UN terminology should follow the Latin languages’ expression “Peace Maintenance”, or the classic Latin version “Custodes Pacis” (Peace Custody – Peace Care).

With the exception of some dreadful, but isolated, terrorist attacks, the so-called Western countries have been living in a golden age of peace and security. Our youngsters go to school every day without major safety concerns, their parents go to work no worried with their security, and we all go to the supermarket assuming the goods we need will be there for us to buy it.

However, all around our borders, that is not the case. Peace and security situations are degrading every day, people are being killed on the streets, and there’s no essential live support products on the shops. As a result, hordes of illegal migrants try to get into the western countries, seeking to escape war and famine. Religious violence plows all over Africa, the Middle East and Asia; and organized crime is using all opportunities to obtain profits, using every possible type of malware action in the book.

Peace is not something we should be concerned when bullets start flying. That will be too late for any feasible solution. Peace is something to be addressed when the first hate speech arises, when there’s no drinkable water on the pipes, or when disease strikes and there are no vaccines to stop it.

We (the westerners) must stop being selfishly comfortable in our little corner of the planet and start going out there, where the problems arise, to promote good living conditions, health care and distribute peace … and, guess what … compared with the “damage control” money spend in homeland, …, it’s not even expensive; in fact, it could be a profitable business too.

The North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) is probably one of the strongest contributors for the peaceful, and stable, environment Europe and North America live in. However, like any living system, if NATO doesn’t evolve and adapt, it will become irrelevant and perish. On the 14th of June 2021, all the Allied Heads of State will get together, at NATO HQ, for another NATO Summit. A Summit someone has already called the “gathering of democracies”, where a new North Atlantic Alliance’s Strategic Concept for the next decade will be discussed. Let us see what comes out of Brussels.

Let us hope that the UN, together with the regional organizations, can let the “peace dove” fly over the unrest places of planet Hearth.

#PKDay

(Los Angeles, May 21, 2021)An episode from New Musicals Inc.’s upcoming webseries, “So Proudly We Hailed,” has been selected to be part of the celebrations at the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers (May 29), in Lisbon, Portugal. You can see an excerpt from this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/hKOrlpu5VFc The full episode is a 15-minute musical which features the true story of Paulo Jorge Machado Dias Gonçalves, who served in Bosnia, among other places. Paulo wrote the dialogue (and Portuguese subtitles); music and lyrics are by Ryan Patrick Martin. The episode, “The Messenger,” is directed by John Coppola, and features Eduardo Enrikez in the title role.The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, 29 May, offers a chance to pay tribute to the uniformed and civilian personnel’s invaluable contribution to the work of the Organization and to honor more than 4,000 peacekeepers who have lost their lives serving under the UN flag since 1948, including 130 last year. In Lisbon, Portugal, our episode will be shown at a very prestigious event, which coincides with an exhibit at the Combatants’ Museum. NMI is excited and honored to be part of this international celebration. Funded by grants from the California Arts Council and the Helen & Jose Colton Foundation, the new webseries “So Proudly We Hailed” features stories of veterans from all over the globe, in musicalizations of true stories, in the Veterans’ own words. We pair our honorees with an artistic team comprised of a composer, lyricist, director, and dramaturg, and shape their story into a short musical retelling in a digital platform.We’re currently shooting and editing the first eight episodes of the series, and we hope to have another call for additional submissions very shortly.The episodes currently in production are: An English Major in Camouflage: A former English major is commanded to teach literature to a foreign general. Unexpectedly, the safety of her regiment, and even the entire region, depends upon her success. By Melissa Milich; with music and lyrics by Katie Brady; featuring Christine Avila. Chasing Ghosts: Based on the Iraq War memoir, An Angel From Hell, by Ryan Conklin; with music by Ron Barnett and lyrics by Christine Croyden; featuring Troy Armond Barboza. Judy and Me: A bittersweet story of a father and a son whose relationship with the military shifts over time. By J.A. Moad II; with music and lyrics by Filip Holacky; featuring Michael Shepperd. The Interrogator: An interrogator grills the only female prisoner in Bagram on charges of terrorism. By Elaine Little; with music and lyrics by Joshua Cohen; featuring Megan Rees. Blood: A hospital Navy Corpsman discovers her personal losses intersect with the wounded soldiers in a hospital tent in Kandahar. By Billie Estes, with music and lyrics by Angela Parrish; directed by John Coppola; featuring Evelyn Halus. Christmas in Kandahar: A soldier stationed in Afghanistan accidentally buys an entire truckful of bread on Christmas Eve. By Addison Blu, with music and lyrics by Michael Finke; directed by Megan Rees; featuring Tonnocus McClain. The Messenger: A United Nations Peacekeeper from Portugal learns his life’s mission through a chance conversation with a five-year-old Bosnian boy. By Paulo Jorge Machado Dias Gonçalves, with music and lyrics by Ryan Patrick Martin; directed by John Coppola; featuring Eduardo Enrikez. Still Standing Proud: based on the service of an anonymous soldier who endured a devastating assault; with music and lyrics by Natalie Rebecca Lovejoy. A difficult but important personal story of Military Sexual Trauma.The series will debut this summer, produced by New Musicals Inc. To see sneak peeks of some of the episodes, visit www.nmi.org/veteransWe are currently looking for funding to bring five more veterans’ stories to life:The Shooter, by Brenda Garcia. The U.S. Navy gave her a camera instead of a gun. The Air Force Jumper, by Shannon Corbeil. At some point, you have to pull your own rip cord. The Observer, by Steve Bingley from the British Army. You never forget watching a friend try to hang himself. The Collector, by Diarra McCormick. The worst job in the Air Force? Tracking down your fellow service members who owe money to Uncle Sam. The Ant Man, by Jeffrey Golden. Attacked by fire ants. Twice.This project is hosted by New Musicals Inc. This activity is supported in part by a generous grant from the Helen and Jose Colton Foundation, and the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more about the Arts Council at www.arts.ca.gov.For more info on SO PROUDLY WE HAILED, visit www.nmi.org/veterans##New Musicals Inc., 5628 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, CA, 91601    818-506-8500    admin@nmi.org    www.nmi.orgCopyright © 2021 New Musicals Inc., All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to news from New Musicals Inc. Our mailing address is:New Musicals Inc.5628 Vineland AvenueNorth Hollywood, CA 91601 Add us to your address book

This is the teaser of a 15 minute musical about the UN mission in the former Yugoslavia – UNPROFOR (1995). The full musical will be released on the 29th May 2021 – the International Peacekeepers’ Day.

#PKDay

Today, 5th of May, we celebrate the Day of the Portuguese Language.
Portuguese unites 9 countries: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and Timor-Leste, in addition to Macau, China and the diasporas spread across Europe and the North America.
There are more than 260 million people speaking the language of Camões (the National poet) and by 2100, it is estimated that there will be more than 500 million Portuguese speaking people.

On 14 April 2021, NATO leaders have met at the highest level and decided to leave Afghanistan starting May and finishing by 11Stpember 2021.

On the same day, the UN mission in Afghanistan – UNAMA – published a paper titled “Afghanistan Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict 2021 First Quarter Report”. In it, one can read that the Taliban are not stepping down their fighting campaign; quite the contrary. In many major cities, there has been a “hunt” for afghanis related with Human Rights protection. The report documents that – only in the first quarter 2021 – there has been 1,783 civilian casualties (573 killed and 1,210 injured), which is a 29% increase compared with the same period in 2020. “Of particular concern is the 37% increase in the number of women killed and injured, and a 23% increase in child casualties compared with the first quarter of 2020.”

UNAMA tweeted: “Extraordinary levels of harm inflicted on civilians in #Afghanistan conflict continues unabated, says new UN report issued today. Urgent action required by all parties to stop the violence.”

It is well known that there is no military solution for the Afghani case, even NATO says so. However, it is also true that there are no conditions for a “civilian only” presence on the ground. As soon as the international military presence vacates the country, so will many of the Non-Governmental Organizations. It seems that a it is time for another type of international presence in Afghanistan.

Will UNAMA shift from a Special Political Mission into a Peacekeeping Mission? But, if so, will the UN blue helmets be able to do what the “all mighty” NATO couldn´t achieve in 20 years of military presence?

We´ll see, … but something must be done … the Afghans deserve a solution.