Meg's Update: 9-14-2012. GA Assembly; Culture of Peace

Mr. Nassir Al-Nasser, President of the GA opened the High Level "Culture of Peace" event; he began by highlighting to realize this quest for universal peace demands attitudinal changes and ways of life that reject violence in all its forms; this only can be achieved through dialogue, respect for differences, and negotiation among nations.  Ban Ki-Moon spoke to the suffering populations in our world crying for a culture of peace. "The world is over-armed; peace is under-funded".  A host of outstanding speakers followed emphasizing basic human rights belong to all; universal education a priority leading to creative possibilities for development through use of new technology.  A strong voice was raised for gender equality, for it is women and children who are largely victims of violence perpetrated through armed conflict. Lydia, a South African youth, carries within her a heart-breaking experience of the suffering armed violence inflicts. The annual estimated cost of armed conflict between 1990-2005 in Africa was 18 billion dollars.  On an upbeat note, Ms. Cherine Badawi, Coordinator of "Generation Waking Up", spoke of a global campaign to ignite young people to bring forth a thriving, just, and sustainable world. She has witnessed, first hand, numerous youth, doing just this.