The courage for peace
Special Exhibition
18 October 2019 to 25 May 2020
From Bougainville to East Timor; Rwanda to Solomon Islands - explore the stories behind peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, where Australian civilians, diplomats, police and military have shown the courage to make peace.
Watch this video to learn about some of the key themes and artifacts featured in the exhibition (Approx. 7 mins).
Watch this video to hear Australian peacekeepers, peacemakers and others talk about their experiences (approx. 30 mins)
Their work takes many forms in diverse locations. Australians have contributed to the efforts of the United Nations in war zones across the globe, as well as to disaster relief and nation-building in our own region. The Courage for Peace focuses on Australia’s recent peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in the Asia–Pacific, and Australia’s diplomatic efforts to prevent conflict, including in support of the United Nations and the international rules-based order. Together, these show how Australia works regionally and globally towards peace for itself and for others.
This exhibition honours all who work towards peace for their persistence, idealism, courage, and achievements.
Exhibition opening speech
The Courage for Peace exhibition was launched by Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women at the Australian War Memorial on the 17th of October 2019.
Baidoa, Somalia.1993. B Squadron, 3/4 Cavalry Regiment and engineers combined to work on repairs to the Baidoa school. Sapper Keith Bawdan, of Kelmscott, WA, and Aitkenvale, Qld, greets one of the local children looking on behind the perimeter wire.