Global Peace and Citizenship – SS3 Citizenship & Heritage Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Global peace is the absence of war and violent conflict between nations, with people of different countries living together in respect and settling disagreements peacefully.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define global peace and peacekeeping;
2. explain why Nigeria should care about peace in other countries;
3. describe Nigeria’s major peacekeeping roles in Africa and in the United Nations;
4. state the costs and challenges of Nigeria’s peacekeeping;
5. suggest ways young Nigerians can contribute to global peace.

What is global peace?

Global peace is a state in which nations live without war and settle disagreements by peaceful means.

• No war: there is no violent conflict between countries.
• Respect: people from different countries and cultures respect one another.
• Peaceful settlement: disputes are solved by talks and agreements, not by force.
• Cooperation: nations work together for everyone’s benefit.

What does war destroy?

• Homes and families: people lose houses and are separated from relatives.
• Education: children cannot go to school.
• Health: hospitals are damaged and treatment becomes hard to get.
• Economy: businesses close and food becomes scarce.

What does peace make possible?

• Trade: nations buy and sell goods freely.
• Education abroad: students can study in other countries.
• Health help: doctors can travel to treat sick people.
• Sharing technology: countries learn from one another.

Why should Nigeria care about global peace?

Nigeria should care because countries are connected, so war in one place affects others.

• Refugees: people fleeing war may enter Nigeria, and the government must provide food and shelter. This money could have served schools or hospitals.
• Scarce resources: conflict in the region makes goods and supplies harder to get.
• Spread of disease: sickness can travel across borders with people fleeing conflict.
• Trade and investment: countries that trust Nigeria trade with it and invest in its businesses.
• Respect for Nigeria: a nation that supports peace earns a good name abroad.
• Responsibility: Nigeria is a large and influential African country with military strength, diplomatic experience and resources to help.

What is peacekeeping?

Peacekeeping is the work done by armed forces, police and international organisations to maintain peace in places of conflict.

What are the tasks of peacekeepers?

Peacekeepers do not fight to win. Their tasks are to:

1. separate fighting groups so they do not attack each other;
2. protect civilians who might be hurt;
3. help create ceasefires (agreements to stop fighting);
4. monitor whether both sides follow peace agreements;
5. help rebuild after conflict.

• Everyday example: a peacekeeper is like a police officer who stops a fight. The officer joins neither side and helps both settle the matter peacefully.

Which organisations organise peacekeeping?

What is Nigeria’s history with peacekeeping?

Nigeria has taken part in peacekeeping in Africa and around the world since the 1960s.

• Places served: Nigerian soldiers have served in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Congo and Somalia.
• UN missions: Nigerian officers have also served in UN missions worldwide.

Why did Nigeria become involved in peacekeeping?

1. Regional power: West African countries look to Nigeria for leadership and ask it for help in times of trouble.
2. A trained and respected military: other countries trust Nigerian soldiers to work professionally.
3. Belief in unity: when one part of the region suffers, the whole region suffers.

What are Nigeria’s major peacekeeping roles?

Nigeria’s major peacekeeping roles have been in West Africa, Central Africa, the Sahel, Somalia and other UN missions.

What did Nigeria do in Sierra Leone and Liberia?

• Background: both countries suffered civil wars in the 1990s and early 2000s.
• Nigeria’s action: Nigeria led ECOWAS in sending peacekeeping forces.
• Risk: thousands of Nigerian soldiers served in dangerous conditions abroad.
• Result: the killing stopped, displaced people could return home and the countries began to rebuild.

What did Nigeria do in Congo?

• Background: Congo is a very large country with many conflicts.
• Nigeria’s action: Nigeria sent officers and soldiers to help keep peace.
• Result: its presence helped reduce violence and protect civilians.

What did Nigeria do in Mali and the Sahel?

• Background: Mali faces serious security threats from terrorist groups.
• Nigeria’s action: Nigeria supported peacekeeping efforts through the UN and regional organisations.

What did Nigeria do in Somalia?

• Nigeria’s action: Nigeria contributed to a UN peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
• Aim: to help restore order in a country troubled by conflict.

What is Nigeria’s part in other UN missions?

• Places: Nigerian officers serve in South Sudan, the Central African Republic and other conflict zones.
• Meaning: this shows the world that Nigeria takes global peace seriously.

What are the costs and challenges of Nigeria’s peacekeeping?

Peacekeeping is a noble duty, but it brings costs and challenges for Nigeria.

Financial cost

• Expense: the government must pay for weapons, uniforms, food, accommodation, medical care and training.
• Common question: people ask why money is spent abroad when many Nigerians are poor.
• Reply: stopping a war early costs less than dealing with a war that spreads to Nigeria.

Human cost

• Loss of life: some Nigerian soldiers die on peacekeeping missions.
• Injury and separation: others return injured, and all leave their families for long periods.
• Respect: these soldiers sacrifice for regional and global peace and deserve our respect.

Other challenges

• Lack of resources: Nigeria sometimes lacks enough vehicles, weapons or supplies, while richer countries can send better equipped forces.
• Limited training: soldiers may lack specialised training in modern peacekeeping. International training helps but needs money and time.
• Political obstacles: if both sides refuse to stop fighting, peacekeepers can do little. They can only create space for peace.
• Terrorism and insurgency: in places such as Mali and the Sahel, terrorist groups attack peacekeepers, which makes the work very dangerous.

How does Nigeria’s peacekeeping help the world?

Nigeria’s peacekeeping has saved lives, supported development and improved the country’s standing.

• Lives saved: in Sierra Leone and Liberia, peacekeepers protected civilians and created safe places to escape violence.
• Stability for development: once peace returns, businesses restart, schools open and trade resumes across West Africa.
• International reputation: the world respects Nigeria’s commitment to peace, so countries cooperate with it on trade, technology and diplomacy.
• Fewer refugee crises: when wars end quickly, fewer people have to flee their homes.

How can young Nigerians contribute to global peace?

Young Nigerians can contribute to global peace through their learning, their behaviour and their choices as citizens.

• Learn about global issues: read about conflicts and their causes to make better decisions later.
• Promote peace at home: settle disagreements peacefully with classmates, family and neighbours, and help others do the same.
• Respect diversity: respect people of other religions, ethnic groups and backgrounds, since many wars begin when differences are not respected.
• Support Nigerian institutions: obeying laws strengthens institutions that help Nigeria work for peace.
• Be an informed voter: when old enough, vote for leaders who prefer peace and diplomacy to violence.
• Consider careers in peace: soldiers, diplomats and UN officials serve global peace directly.
• Spread peace messages: use social media responsibly, share messages of unity and avoid hateful content.

Evaluation

1. Define global peace and peacekeeping.
2. List four tasks of peacekeepers.
3. Name four challenges Nigeria faces in peacekeeping.
4. Give three reasons why peace in Africa benefits Nigeria.
5. State three ways a student can promote peace.

Assignment

Write a short essay explaining why Nigeria should care about global peace. In your essay, describe two of Nigeria’s peacekeeping roles and two ways young Nigerians can contribute to global peace.