International Day of Peace 2017 - Student Observance…

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the 20th annual global student video conference in observance of the International Day of Peace under the theme "Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All" to build support for diversity, non-discrimination and acceptance of refugees and migrants. Alison Smale, USG for Global Communications, Jane Goodall, UN Messenger of Peace, and Jayathma Wickramanayake, SG's Envoy on Youth also spoke. Students at the UN Mission in Colombia joined by video link. A highlight was a musical performance by Leila and Omnia Hegazy. The traditional ringing inside the conference room of a peace bell cast from recycled weapons of war was be led by two student youth refugees: Wendo Mbilizi, 20, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Saja Almogalli, 17, from Iraq who found their new home in the United States. The event was organised by the Education Outreach Section of the United Nations Department of Public Information. Organised by the United Nations Department of Public Information, the annual student observance for the International Day of Peace. The theme honours the spirit of TOGETHER, a global initiative that promotes respect, safety and dignity for everyone forced to flee their homes in search of a better life. TOGETHER unites the organizations of the United Nations System, the 193 Member States of the United Nations, the private sector, civil society, academic institutions and individual citizens in a global partnership in support of diversity, non-discrimination and acceptance of refugees and migrants. It was initiated during the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September 2016.