Christmas Message from President of the Republic Tarja Halonen to Finnish Peacekeepers on 24 December 2008

Finland has long-standing traditions in international crisis management. The work of our peacekeepers has provided a solid support for our efforts to build a more humane and fairer world. Tens of thousands of Finns have been working in crisis management tasks over the decades to promote peace, security, development and human rights.

The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights marked its sixtieth anniversary two weeks ago, on the tenth of December – the same day that President Ahtisaari was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. As Finns, we can be proud that our nation’s contribution to world peace has been given the highest recognition. We are also proud of the valuable work that you – hundreds of Finns – are doing at this moment in military and civilian crisis management tasks in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Finland’s strength in international crisis management is high level of expertise, an example of which is your efforts in stabilizing crisis areas during this year. As a result of your work, many families lead a more peaceful and secure everyday life. You have represented our country with honour.

In Finland, you are accustomed to gender equality. We must keep this in mind in crisis management as well. In the autumn, Finland completed its own national action plan in order to carry out the UN Security Council resolution ‘Women, Peace and Security’. The objectives of the action plan are practical and part of our crisis management operations. At this moment about two per cent of those participating in military crisis management operations are women. This is more than the number of women in military service, which is about one per cent. In the field of civilian crisis management, however women account for almost one third. Most of the local people that you meet through your work are women and children. But whether a man or a woman, one must treat others with respect for gender equality.

Next year, Finland will continue to focus in its crisis management on Kosovo and Afghanistan. We are also preparing to continue in Chad for the next few years.

Complicated crises require a comprehensive approach and long-term commitment to crisis management. The situation in the Balkans is a good example of this. After long-lasting efforts that have required military force, the security situation has improved considerably. Now assistance can move on to the next stage, building a society. The presence of the international community is still necessary, but the nature and focus of the operations are changing more clearly from military protection and support for civilian parties to civilian crisis management. Finland will be increasing the number of civil experts in the Balkans. With a comprehensive approach to crisis management, national cross-administrative cooperation has also intensified.

During this year, Finland took part for the second time in an EU Battlegroup. For six months about 150 men and women were in a state of availability for deployment within five days. There was no need to use the troops but you have been involved in developing Finland’s crisis-management expertise and, at the same time, the national defence capability in a significant way.

The main message at Christmas is peace and goodwill. You spread this message in your work every day of the year. Many of you are even at this moment carrying out your service duty. Your Christmas will be different, but certainly unforgettable.

I would like to warmly thank all of you for your demanding and important peace work during the year. At the same time, I would like to thank those involved in Finland for your valuable support for people operating in international duties.

I wish you and your close ones a peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009.