Tarry Town, 4.30 pm- 30 August 2013
Dear Summer School Participants,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to address you today, at the closing of the UNAOC-EF SUMMER SCHOOL here in Tarrytown.
Let me start by thanking all our partners from Education First.
Known as World Leader in International Education, at the end of the programme we all agree that is a well-deserved appellation!
Distinguished Youth Participants,
You have completed your summer School Programme! Bravo!
You have overcome your divergences! Bravo!
UNAOC – EF Summer School provided you an opportunity to investigate, along 99 of your peers, critical global issues and collaborate to develop unique solutions to these problems.
You are definitely an exceptional group! But don’t let that idea go to your heads because you have an important mission to accomplish. The mission is to share with others your acquired knowledge and understanding.
The Alliance established summer schools, based on the central principle that people share more commonalities than differences, and when given the opportunity, will explore those common interests and simulating ideas that address major issues around the world.
The lessons learned at these summer schools can be applied globally.
I was told that you had very intense and interesting discussions on crucial topics such as human rights, advocacy, the roots of extremisms and r radicalization. My staff present at the Summer School was amazed by the depth of your understanding of these issues as well as your outstanding debate talents. And, last but not least, your capacity to discuss and debate of this in a respectful, positive and productive manner. Many leaders around the world need to learn from you. We are here to listen to your ideas, learn from you and work alongside you to address these pressing global issues in an equitable and sustainable manner.
At the Summer School, youth have reflected on the meanings of peace and conflict, how they can embody peace in their life and work and how their work can contribute to preventing violence and polarization. That is what we are trying to do, when we work with kids, teenagers, youth, we are trying to separate violence from conflict. We try to explain that there are conflicts that could easily be fixed if you don’t think immediately about violence.”
Let me close by saying that after hearing about the impact this training had on you, I firmly believe the program put together by the UNAOC and Education First will position you to work with your organization and your community in order to help address the root cause of conflicts and disparities.
I would like to thank all your trainers and mentors particularly the special Envoy on Youth, Mr. Ahmed Al- Hendawi, who works to address the needs of youth around the world. I am glad to see that he was the first person to welcome you during the first evening of your summer programme.
I would like also to thank the members of my team whose dedication and commitment contributed to make this UNAOC–EF Summer School, a real success.
Thank you and I wish you all a safe trip back home.