"EDUCATION FOR PEACE " is the theme of the International Day of Peace 2013
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International Day of Peace - September 21.
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International Day of Peace 2013
Marking
observance of the International Day of Peace, the United Nations on
Wednesday urged nations to invest in education that encourages children
to embrace global citizenship based on values of tolerance and
diversity. The theme of this year's observance is: 'Education for
Peace.' Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rang the Peace Bell in New York,
ahead of the official observance of the Day, which falls on Saturday,
Sept 21.
The International Day of Peace is a time for reflection – a day
when we reiterate our belief in non-violence and call for a global
ceasefire. We ask people everywhere to observe a minute of silence, at
noon local time, to honour those killed in conflict and the survivors
who live with daily trauma and pain.
This year we are highlighting Education for Peace. Education
is vital for fostering global citizenship and building peaceful
societies.
In June, Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl targeted for
assassination by the Taliban for campaigning for the right to
education, came to the United Nations. Malala said: “One teacher, one
book, one pen, can change the world.” These are our most powerful
weapons.
That is why, last year, I launched the Global Education First
Initiative. Every girl and every boy deserves to receive a quality
education and learn the values that will help them to see themselves as
part of a global community.
Governments and development partners are working to get every
child in school and learning well to equip them for life in the 21st
century. There is new momentum in countries with the greatest needs,
such as those affected by conflict, which are home to half of all
children lacking education. But we must do more – much more.
Fifty-seven million children are still denied an education. Millions
more need better schooling.
Educating the poorest and most marginalized children will
require bold political leadership and increased financial commitment.
Yet aid for education has dropped for the first time in a decade. We
must reverse this decline, forge new partnerships, and bring much
greater attention to the quality of education.
On this International Day of Peace, let us pledge to teach our
children the value of tolerance and mutual respect. Let us invest in
the schools and teachers that will build a fair and inclusive world
that embraces diversity. Let us fight for peace and defend it with all
our might.
Ban Ki-moon
18 September 2013
Excellencies,
Secretary General,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
We begin this year’s General Assembly- our 68th session- as we
have every year since 1981, with a tribute to peace which happens to
be the very foundation upon which this organization representing our
family of nations is built. The annual Peace Bell Ceremony is a
poignant reminder of the overarching purpose of our work to ensure a
more peaceful world. The ringing of the peace bell is also an
evocative statement of purpose guiding our collaborative efforts towards
meeting the agenda of the 68th session of the General Assembly.
This bell rings for peace at a time when so many across the
globe are struggling to eke out a living, and begin their day in the
dark and end their day in dark, hungry and terrified to face the
horror of another tomorrow. This bell rings for peace at time when
there is still conflict and bloodshed in many parts of the world.,
where there are tensions and violence born of traditional and long held
divisions, or stemming from ethnic and/or religious differences.
As we hear this bell ring, let us remember that it was the United
Nations General Assembly, that established this International Day of
Peace in an effort that all member states will recognize and reflect
upon the value of peace in world filled with everyday examples of
bloodshed, violence and war. It is a day where any countries involved
in conflict will have a day of ceasefire; where we will have a minute
of silence in which we recognize and honour the victims of war and
conflict wherever they are, and where we dedicate ourselves to work
together to promote peace.
What makes this 2013 International Day of Peace unique is that
for the first time, the Day has been dedicated by the
Secretary-General of the United Nations to peace education. Let us
remember that education is a path to growth and development for
citizens and societies, and that education that teaches the value of
peace is a key preventive means of reducing war and conflict.
One of the world’s great leaders, Nelson Mandela once said,
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the
world." It is therefore fitting that today we reflect on the role of
education as one of the important building blocks upon which peace
can be built. Education provides an opportunity to raise the veil of
ignorance that blinds us to the path of decency, respect, tolerance
and the interdependence of the human family, irrespective of country
of origin, religion or ethnicity. No serious business leader would
fail to optimise all the resources available to them. Yet, we do
exactly that when we fail to give girls and women equal access to
education, healthcare and opportunity. Let us remember that when we
educate our girl children, and when we empower women and young people
we create a more sustainable future - one which holds the real promise
of reducing poverty and ill-health and of eliminating the scourge of
gender violence.
The ringing of this peace bell today summons us all to work for
the broader cause of human development to which people everywhere are
entitled, and to build the peace in which all people and societies can
prosper. Let us not forget that peace does not occur by happenstance,
it is the product of the conscious and consistent effort of people of
good will acting together for the common good. And let us remember
that peace that is secured by hard work, dedication and commitment is a
peace that is lasting and sustainable and very much needed in this
world of ours.
Thank you.
H.E. Mr. John W. Ashe
