“I began feeling very idealistic in regards to the UN, and I’ve by no means misplaced that feeling,” Mr. Stewart informed UN Information in an unique interview.
“What higher factor are you able to dedicate your life and your profession to than bringing peace on the earth, supporting human rights, and serving to international locations develop.”
In early August, he steps down because the Particular Consultant of the Secretary-Basic and head of the UN Peacekeeping Drive in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
His departure comes at a second of cautious optimism on the island. Simply final week, the Secretary-Basic reported that talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders have been “constructive”, with “frequent understanding” on new initiatives.
Mr. Stewart known as the talks “an essential step” in sustaining momentum.
“We’re at a little bit of a difficult second for Cyprus due to upcoming elections within the north and different dynamics,” he defined. “The intent was to maintain the ball rolling and maintain the momentum going, and I feel that succeeded.”
Peace by stopping sparks
Trying again at his tenure in Cyprus, Mr. Stewart likened UNFICYP’s day by day work to stamping out sparks earlier than they ignite.
“There are all types of actions occurring within the buffer zone daily, every with the potential to escalate,” he stated. “Our job is to forestall these sparks from bursting into flames. After I report back to the Safety Council that issues are calm, it means we’ve got been profitable.”
The numbers bear out his level: in additional than half a century of UN peacekeeping on the island, not a single shot has been fired between the 2 militaries.
“Some folks ask why the peacekeeping mission remains to be wanted, on condition that it’s been peaceable for 50 years…the reply is easy – it’s peaceable as a result of the mission has been doing its job. With out it, the deep distrust between the edges might simply spiral into confrontation.”
Classes on belief and empathy
Mr. Stewart additionally served as a particular adviser on Cyprus, main the Secretary-Basic’s good places of work to help a complete settlement. The best impediment, he stated, lies not in public sentiment however in political will.
“The folks get alongside fantastic,” he famous. “Hundreds of thousands cross from one aspect to the opposite yearly with out incident. However amongst political leaders, mistrust runs so deep that even the thought of compromise is considered negatively.”
This mistrust, he stated, is rooted in many years of hardline narratives that painting the opposite aspect as an enemy relatively than a associate. Breaking these narratives is crucial.
“Peacebuilding requires not simply negotiation however a willingness to dismantle these inflexible narratives and construct empathy,” he stated. “And we do that on a regular basis at a person degree. Deliver two individuals who have every misplaced one thing in entrance of one another, they usually can fairly readily sympathise with one another and share a typical grief.”
This perception within the energy of empathy, he added, resonates far past Cyprus: in lots of conflicts, peace emerges when folks start to recognise the humanity – and struggling – on the opposite aspect.
UNFICYP Photograph
Peacekeeping not one-size-fits-all
Mr. Stewart’s profession has given him a panoramic view of peacekeeping’s evolution.
In Timor-Leste, he noticed how UN help might help a fledgling state construct resilience. In Addis Ababa, as a part of the UN Workplace to the African Union, he witnessed the ability of partnerships. And in Western Sahara, he skilled the boundaries of peacekeeping when a ceasefire failed to carry.
He highlighted that peacekeeping shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all mode – it’s modular – “a little bit of this and a bit that”, tailor-made to the circumstances and dealing with a variety of companions.
“I assume I’ve lived by way of the evolution of peacekeeping and seen many alternative facets of it, [but] I’m ever extra satisfied that peacekeeping is a completely important software for the worldwide group.”
A quiet exit
Now getting ready for all times after the UN, Mr. Stewart is evident: he has no plans to return in any advisory or consulting function.
“For me, retirement means retirement,” he stated with a smile.
“I need to do all of the issues I’ve been suspending for my entire profession – dwell in a home I personal, spend time with my teenage son who’s going to highschool…that’s the life that I keep in mind.”
UNFICYP Photograph
Idealism stays intact
Concluding the interview, I requested if he had any last phrases. As he seemed round for concepts, I instructed, “possibly your first day on the job.”
He recalled his starting within the United Nations, a journey that began with the referendum for self-determination in Timor-Leste within the Nineties, towards the backdrop of intimidation, violence and a fragile safety atmosphere.
“It was our watch, our accountability to placed on a free and honest vote,” he stated, “and that was going to be inconceivable underneath these circumstances.” But, regardless of the percentages, the Timorese vote went forward, and the outcome was clear — a hit towards all expectations.
“That was a really heady, thrilling expertise to begin within the UN…it began me off feeling very idealistic in regards to the UN, and I’ve by no means misplaced that feeling that, you already know, the UN is right here to do good issues, to do the fitting issues.”
As he steps away from the UN, Mr. Stewart says that idealism stays intact.
“What higher factor are you able to dedicate your life and your profession to than bringing peace on the earth, supporting human rights, and serving to international locations develop and construct the foundations for peace.”
“It would take time, however we’ll succeed…although folks get discouraged as a result of it’s very, very laborious for every kind of causes which are out of our management, it’s a beautiful precept to be serving. So, I go away wishing solely the most effective for my colleagues who will proceed the struggle.”
UNFICYP Photograph
