International scientific collaboration is essential, not only for knowledge but also for fostering peace. The International Week of Science and Peace, observed every November, during the week of the 11th, plays a pivotal role in promoting peace. It facilitates academic exchanges on universally significant topics, increasing public awareness of the close relationship between scientific advances and achieving peace in society, emphasizing that in order to achieve one, it鈥檚 necessary to invest in the other.
Deploying to the frontlines for peace
Lt. Esinam Baah takes us through her trials and triumps as a woman peacekeeper with United Nations in Lebanon. She is one of 173 women deploying to UNIFIL as part of Ghana's military contingent.
With bombs raining down on hospitals and United Nations shelters, the people of have nowhere safe to go. In Gaza, 50,000 women are currently pregnant. Almost 160 women will give birth every day amid the violence. UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
The United Nations has played a significant role in addressing the enduring conflict between Israel and Palestine, and has been actively involved in seeking a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Over the years, the 缅北禁地has facilitated peace talks, provided humanitarian aid, and supported initiatives aimed at fostering understanding and reconciliation between the two parties. 缅北禁地Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres voiced grave concern over the on-going escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza, and stressed the need to prevent the violence from spreading into the wider region.
The 缅北禁地Secretary-General urges 鈥渢o end this vicious circle of bloodshed, hatred and polarization,鈥 and warns against 鈥渋rreversible action that would embolden extremists and doom any prospects for lasting peace.鈥
The international community today confronts grave challenges, including growing inequalities, proliferating conflicts, worsening climate change, and internal divisions within countries. Nevertheless, by embracing diversity, promoting social cohesion, cooperation, and equal opportunities for all, we can create a more peaceful future. On this International Day of Non-Violence (2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi), Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres calls upon the world to uphold Gandhi's timeless principles of mutual respect, justice, and non-violent action.
The Chemical Weapons Convention is an international treaty by dedicated to a world free of chemical weapons while recognising the role of dual-use nature in many chemicals and their importance in industry and development.
On September 21, we commemorate the International Day of Peace. Today, as the world faces the largest number of conflicts since World War II, is calling for collective action towards sustainable peace.
Premiering September 14, 2023, the "Peace Begins With Me" showcases a creative collaboration between Congolese peacekeeper and musician Pacifique Akilimali and Nigerian peace advocate and poet Maryam Bukar Hassan. See Michael Douglas, Nancy Ajram & others as they join 缅北禁地Peacekeeping in the fight for peace.
Women police officers play a crucial role across the full spectrum of policing, from crime prevention to criminal investigations, the protection of human rights, and safety and security. Evidence shows that their full, equal and meaningful participation in all policing functions is vital to achieving more effective, efficient and accountable services. On this inaugural commemoration of the International Day of Police Cooperation (7 September), the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing, together with INTERPOL, highlights the vital role of women in policing.
Education is a fundamental human right. For children and youth caught up in emergency situations, education not only means the continuity of learning, but it also provides a sense of normalcy and the key to a different future, alerts the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). With the knowledge, skills and support gained through education, generations survive crises and lead the world toward a sustainable future. This is particularly true for vulnerable groups including girls, migrants, refugees and people with disabilities, among others.
The continuing battle for control of Sudan between rival militaries has had a destabilizing effect on the contested area of Abyei claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, for both the 缅北禁地mission there, UNIFSA, and the civilians they are mandated to protect.
"To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war" are among the first very words of the 缅北禁地Charter (in its Preamble), and those words were the main motivation for creating the United Nations, whose founders had lived through the devastation of two world wars by 1945. Since the UN's creation on 24 October 1945 (the date its Charter came into force), the United Nations has often been called upon to prevent disputes from escalating into war, or to help restore peace following the outbreak of armed conflict, and to promote lasting peace in societies emerging from wars.
Colombia鈥檚 conflict has torn the souls of Colombians apart for almost 70 years. The only road we have left is reconciliation.
presents 14-year-old Djeneba's poem which reveals a vivid picture of a young boy struggling to survive because of conflict in Burkina Faso
鈥淗ow can I not have sleepless nights when you have to choose between whether you fund the services for gender-based violence, or whether you fund the services for food, because for some children, it's only that one meal in school that they have all day.鈥
Growing up in Liberia, Sara Beysolow Nyanti is no stranger to the lasting pain of a country ravaged by recurring violence. As Former Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, she often encountered the anguish of those bearing the psychological scars of war. 鈥淭his woman [told me] we have nightmares 鈥 And she talked about losing her four children and she said it without crying. My heart was crying while she was speaking 鈥 I couldn't bear it.鈥
Reeling from decades of conflict, South Sudan is now suffering the devastating impacts of climate change. Floods have hit many areas, forcing locals to share dry land with deadly snakes. In this episode, Sara Beysolow Nyanti reflects on the mounting climate threat, prospects for peace, and retaining hope in one of the world鈥檚 most dangerous places.
Photo credit: 漏UNMISS/Linda Tom