Message on the International Day of Peace 2021 by Yeşim Oruç, UN Resident Coordinator

(As prepared for delivery)

September 21st is observed around the world as the International Day of Peace. The Theme for 2021 is: Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world.

It is a pleasure and an honor for me to join the students and staff of Marian Academy to mark this occasion and recognize the Academy for its commitment to peace and for taking an active role in preparing the next generation of leaders with the skills and knowledge they will need to address the challenges facing Guyana and the world.

As the world continues to fight COVID-19 and rebuild from the pandemic, we all need to think creatively and work with each other to transform our world into one that is more equal, more just, equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and healthier.

The United Nations invites you to join our efforts of as we focus on recovering better for a more equitable and peaceful world.

Celebrate peace by standing up against acts of hate, online and offline, and cyber bullying.

Spread compassion, kindness, and hope everywhere you go.

The United Nations is supporting Guyana to respond to and recover from COVID-19.

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is the lead agency working with the health sector and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) leads the UN’s work with the education sector with support from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other agencies.  

Allow me to highlight some of the work we have been doing with government and civil society organizations to help children during this pandemic.

• 125,000 Guyanese children have been supported in distance learning (online and other forms of learning).

• 52,000 learning packages were provided to children in rural communities with unreliable or intermittent electricity provision and internet connectivity.

• 300 schools and childcare facilities have been assisted to prepare to return to school in a safe and protective environment.

• 35,000 face masks have been provided for students and nearly 20,000 face shields for teachers. This will help ensure that transmission in schools is limited.

• Surveys were conducted to assess the mental health of children, adolescents, and adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Subsequently online mental health campaigns were launched, focused on youth and children to help them cope during this difficult time of isolation from family and friends.

Response to and recovery from COVID-19 is an ongoing process and we all have a role to play. In addition to all the hardships that have come with the pandemic, we also see a surge in stigma, discrimination, and hatred – factors that are undermine peace in our societies. To be able to recover from the devastation of the pandemic, we need more collaboration. Division will only make the task much harder and postpone recovery.

According to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, children, “you are leaders, changemakers and advocates in our societies.” At a virtual observance held last week with students to mark the International day of Peace, he asked for support in three areas:  

First: Join the United Nations’ call for a global 24-hour ceasefire — and for all parties to conflict to commit to a lasting, sustainable peace. You may be aware of all the war and conflict happening in various parts of the world such as in Afghanistan.

Second: Keep pushing governments and other leaders to close the vaccine gap between rich and poor countries. For us to recover, everyone, everywhere should have access to vaccines.

And third: keep sounding the alarm on the climate emergency engulfing our planet. We can clearly see the effects of climate change in Guyana as there is no longer a clear distinction between the wet and dry seasons.

Students, you can be empowered agents of peace, healing, and support among your peers and in your communities by cultivating critical thinking skills, developing mental resilience, and learning to manage conflicts and differences in a non-violent manner.

Some studies show that the key to building peace means focusing on the attitudes and beliefs as well as the institutions and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies. Peace occurs where attitudes make violence less tolerated, where institutions are responsive to society’s needs, and where there are structures that enable the nonviolent resolution of grievances. Simply put, spreading kindness and compassion is the key to everyone living more peaceful and productive lives.

Children of Marian Academy, you are guided by teachers and an administration that has the values of peace at its core. I commend Sister Marie and all teachers for their leadership in instilling values of kindness and compassion within your walls and beyond. Over time that will contribute to a more peaceful Guyana.

I echo the message by our Secretary-General. “On this special observance of International Peace Day, we salute the voices, vision and commitment of young people in shaping a more peaceful world.”

Thank you.