Peace and Disarmament Education Discussions “Creating Safe Spaces for Youth”

The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) organized an event for youth on peace and disarmament education. The event also marked the occasion of UNRCPD’s 10th anniversary and celebrated the International Day of Youth.

The event on 17 August 2018, held at the UN House, had participation from 3 high schools, 4 university colleges and 3 youth organizations from Kathmandu. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s office addressed the event. The event also brought together youth representatives from UN agencies like UNDP, UN WOMEN, UNESCO and UNFPA. UNRCPD presented on activities of Centre, the New Agenda for Disarmament, Securing Our Common Future, and on what youth could do for securing peace and disarmament.

There were enthusiastic discussions by youth on what peace and disarmament means to them followed by very creative presentations from each high school and university on how to engage in the New Agenda. The students showcased their ideas through skits, presentations and videos on peace and disarmament.

Securing Our Common Future underlines the need for more educational opportunities to empower young people for disarmament. By organizing the Peace and Disarmament Education Discussion, UNRCPD aimed to raise awareness and promote ideas on how disarmament contributes to creating the safe spaces that youth need at national, regional and global levels. This builds on the previous work of UNRCPD (2013-2015), the Nepal Curriculum Development Centre Nepal, the National Centre for Education Development Nepal and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), of developing materials and tools for children and teachers on peaceful conflict resolution, that have already reached over 400,000 students per year since 2013.

As the Secretary-General states, “Drawing on the enormous initiative, energy and ideas of the world’s young people we must make the most of the power of young women and men as drivers of a culture of peace.” This event placed Nepalese youth at centre stage with dynamic discussions on peace and disarmament issues and on practical approaches, ideas and actions on how they can be agents of change in their communities, promoting a culture of peace and non-violence.

For more information, contact Ms. Jane E Lawson, Regional Peace and Disarmament Education Project Coordinator at UNRCPD by e-mail:  info@unrcpd.org.

_{Representative from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Mr. Pratik Karki, delivering his speech in the event.}