Wednesday 28 August 2013, 3 PM.
Cf Room 1, Secretariat Building, New York
Your Excellency,
Dear Youth Participants,
It is a pleasure to meet you again, this time in our Headquarters NY !!
It is my honor and privilege to introduce to you H. E. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations with a valuable experience in conflict and post-conflict situations.
I understand that this panel will allow you to better understand what concrete actions the UN is taking on the ground when it comes to working with youth to advance peacebuilding and development. As you know, these two issues are closely related. And youth are the most important partners in making progress to achieve global peace and equitable development. You will hear from 3 panelists who are important advocates of the UN partnering with youth in peacebuilding and development work.
As you try to understand how the UN works when it comes to conflict prevention, peace keeping , reconciliation and youth issues, let me tell you that strengthening peace and creating conditions to avoid conflicts is the raison d’etre of the United Nations.
You have all heard of the work of the peacekeeping operations, one of the many tools available to the UN to assist countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace. The United Nations currently has some 100,000 men and women on the grounds in places that others cannot or will not go.
The United Nations is constantly creating new tools to maintain peace and solve conflicts. Women’s participation in peacebuilding was recognized as unique as often women become the prime target of violence in conflicts. Member States realized that the participation of women in all aspects of society was essential for a nation to ascent from the ashes of conflict.
From the Alliance of Civilizations, we tackle the conflict resolution by building bridges between societies, promoting dialogue and understanding across cultures and religions and forging a collective political will to address the world’s imbalances.
But before these topics are addressed, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Eliasson, will share with you his views on how Dag Hammarksjold, the second Secretary General of the United Nations, shaped the way the UN does peacebuilding, even today still. You will see that Dag Hammarksjold had an impact on this crucial aspect of the UN’s mission, but also on the daily work of its staff. We can very much feel his presence in our work, in this building, in our minds.
Your role as youth leaders, should to make sure that you have an impact in your community.
Your Excellency, Mr. Jan Eliasson you have the floor…