Commemorative Purpose

The Memorial will commemorate and celebrate Australian peacekeeping. It will commemorate the courage, sacrifice, service and valour of Australian Peacekeepers given in the same spirit as in other conflicts honoured by cenotaphs and memorials across Australia and on Anzac Parade.

The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial will also:

• celebrate Australia's contribution to international peacekeeping since its commitment to the first UN peacekeeping mission on 14th September 1947.
• honour the excellent achievement and reputation of Australia and its Peacekeepers in international peace and security.
• acknowledge the deaths and casualties suffered by Australian Peacekeepers while deployed on operations.
• recognise the critical contributions made by the ADF, the Federal, State and Territory Police Forces, and Australian civilians to peacekeeping operations which are commanded or authorised by the United Nations, or are sanctioned by the Australian Government.
• be a reminder of the difficulties and dangers international peacekeeping often faces in remote and isolated regions, where infrastructure is destroyed and peace is at best fragile.
• acknowledge the skills, professionalism, resourcefulness and courage required of individuals in such circumstances, the often horrific humanitarian crises and human rights abuses they must confront and the long term emotional and physiological impact these experiences can have on individuals.
• reflect awareness of the support and sacrifices given by the families of peacekeepers.
• show that Australia's contribution to peacekeeping exemplifies Australian openness, fairness, egalitarianism, mateship, initiative, and respect for diversity and social justice for all people.
• reflect the evolution of international peacekeeping over the last 60 years, including the development of complex multi-dimensional and integrated missions with multi-national military, police and civilian components.
• demonstrate that Australia and the individual Peacekeepers that it sends overseas contribute positively to international peace and world stability by assisting nations to regain stability and aiding individuals in distress and danger.
• form a focal point for national parades and remembrance ceremonies in recognition of Australian peacekeeping on appropriate occasions.

The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial will be a living memorial in that it will identify past and future peacekeeping operations and ongoing national and individual commitment and sacrifice.