 |
| The UN Secretary-General spoke at the event via pre-recorded video. (Source: Vietnamese Mission in Geneva_ |
On September 21, the Geneva Peace Dialogue was held at the United Nations Office in Geneva on the occasion of the International Day of Peace (September 21, 2023) and also coincided with the recently concluded Summit on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - in New York from September 18-19.
The Geneva Peace Dialogue is a joint initiative of the United Nations Office at Geneva, together with the Geneva Peacebuilding Forum and Interpeace, and with the support of the Swiss government.
The dialogue began in 2013 in Switzerland through peace talks in Geneva. Since then, the Geneva Peace Dialogue has become the leading global event for peace dialogue and is an annual event in Geneva to mark the International Day of Peace.
The 2023 Geneva Peace Dialogue takes place in a context where dozens of conflicts are still taking place in the world, leading to poverty, migration, and inequality, while climate change is increasing its negative impacts.
Opening the event via pre-recorded video, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: "Peace is needed more than ever. War and conflict are causing devastation, hunger and tens of millions of people are being displaced from their homes. Climate change is causing chaos everywhere. And even peace within countries is being constrained by inequality and political polarization."
The Geneva Peace Dialogue 2023 reflects the official UN theme for this year’s International Day of Peace, “Action for Peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals”. It is a call to action that acknowledges our individual and collective responsibility to promote peace, contributing to the realization of the SDGs.
The vision of Peace Dialogue is to expand the space for dialogue on peacebuilding and conflict resolution, by demonstrating that there are solutions to conflict and violence; sharing inspiring stories to encourage innovation and disruptive thinking to build peace; raising awareness that every person, every actor and organization has a role to play in building peace and resolving conflict; inspiring action in everyday life and on a global scale.
At this year’s Geneva Peace Dialogue, delegates heard stories from seven individuals and peace activists from around the world, including: Nilofar Ayoubi, women’s and human rights advocate from Afghanistan, journalist and CEO of Asiatimes.af; César López, renowned Colombian musician, composer and social leader; Nina Verdiane Niabodé, presenter and producer of Radio Ndeke Luka, Central African Republic (CAR); Maiwen Ngalueth, humanitarian and peace expert from South Sudan; Sophia Strel-Rever, spiritual activist and teacher from France; Cheick Fayçal Traoré, peacebuilding and development expert from Burkina Faso, and Alicia Sanders-Zakre, nuclear disarmament researcher and activist, and Research and Policy Coordinator of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
In addition, the Organizing Committee also screened videos about peace efforts by communities and individuals around the world.
The speakers shared inspiring stories and practical solutions to conflict and inspired action. The peace stories highlighted that peacemaking is not just the work of technical experts, but that every individual has a role to play in peacemaking and conflict resolution, whether in remote, conflict-affected areas or close to home.
By expanding the conversation about practical solutions for peace beyond the political realm, new ideas and insights can emerge and be presented, and barriers can be broken down.
The Geneva Peace Dialogue aims to facilitate global dialogue on solutions to some of the most challenging issues of our time. With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations Member States committed to promoting more peaceful and inclusive societies.
Source
Comment (0)