Dag Hammarskjold Medal

Dag Hammarskjold Medal is a prestigious award presented by the United Nations to peacekeeping personnel who have lost their lives while serving in United Nations peacekeeping operations. The medal is named after Dag Hammarskjold, the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, who served from 1953 until his death in 1961. Hammarskjold was a strong advocate for peacekeeping and played a key role in establishing the United Nations Operation in the Congo. The Dag Hammarskjold Medal is awarded annually on International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, which is observed on May 29.

● Introduction

The Dag Hammarskjold Medal is a symbol of recognition for the sacrifices made by peacekeeping personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The medal is presented to the families of the deceased personnel, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of peacekeeping and the risks involved in this critical work. Kofi Annan, the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, played a key role in establishing the Dag Hammarskjold Medal and has been a strong supporter of peacekeeping efforts. The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the United Nations Department of Field Support work together to administer the Dag Hammarskjold Medal program, which is supported by United Nations Member States such as Canada, Australia, and Sweden.

● History

The Dag Hammarskjold Medal was established in 1997 by the United Nations General Assembly, which recognized the need to honor the sacrifices made by peacekeeping personnel. The first Dag Hammarskjold Medal was awarded in 1998 to the families of personnel who had lost their lives in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Rwanda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Somalia. Since then, the medal has been awarded annually to the families of personnel who have lost their lives in peacekeeping missions around the world, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Liberia. The Dag Hammarskjold Medal has been presented by Secretary-General of the United Nations such as Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Kofi Annan, and Ban Ki-moon, and has been supported by United Nations agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children's Fund.

● Criteria

The Dag Hammarskjold Medal is awarded to peacekeeping personnel who have lost their lives while serving in United Nations peacekeeping operations. The criteria for the award include personnel who have died as a result of hostile action, accidents, or illness while serving in a United Nations peacekeeping mission. The medal is also awarded to personnel who have died while serving in United Nations agencies such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The Dag Hammarskjold Medal is awarded to personnel from United Nations Member States such as United States, China, and France, as well as to personnel from non-governmental organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders.

● Recipients

The Dag Hammarskjold Medal has been awarded to thousands of peacekeeping personnel who have lost their lives while serving in United Nations peacekeeping operations. The recipients of the medal include personnel from United Nations Member States such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as well as personnel from non-governmental organizations such as the International Rescue Committee and the Save the Children. The medal has been presented to the families of personnel who have lost their lives in peacekeeping missions in Africa, Asia, and Europe, including in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Kosovo. The Dag Hammarskjold Medal has been supported by world leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, and Angela Merkel, who have recognized the importance of peacekeeping and the sacrifices made by peacekeeping personnel.

● Significance

The Dag Hammarskjold Medal is a significant recognition of the sacrifices made by peacekeeping personnel who have lost their lives while serving in United Nations peacekeeping operations. The medal serves as a reminder of the importance of peacekeeping and the risks involved in this critical work. The Dag Hammarskjold Medal has been recognized by world leaders such as Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping, who have acknowledged the importance of peacekeeping and the role of the United Nations in promoting peace and security. The medal has also been supported by international organizations such as the European Union, the African Union, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which have recognized the importance of peacekeeping and the sacrifices made by peacekeeping personnel. Category:United Nations awards