site.btaUNESCO Director General Bokova: Peace Must Be Built in School

UNESCO Director General Bokova: Peace Must Be Built in School

Varna, on the Black Sea, May 21 (BTA) - Peace must be built in school, said here on Saturday UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, who delivered a lecture at the Varna University of Economics. She was awarded an honorary degree by the University's Rector Prof. Plamen Iliev.

According to her, an education system must be established that teaches young people not just how to read and write, and use new technologies, but also values and critical thinking. This is the only way they'll have a feeling of solidarity, dialogue, observe human dignity and be global citizens, Bokova said.

The UNESCO Director General said that there are still 58 million children not attending school and 73 million unemployed young people across the world. They must be encouraged and assisted in developing their skills and achieving success.

"In the 21st Century we often seek global solutions to local problems," she said. Despite the growth of trade and the information network, humanity is facing challenges that require new skills. Among the serious problems she listed are extreme poverty, illiteracy, gender inequality, which continues to be a serious obstacle to both peace and development. Overcoming these problems would open huge opportunities for the development of young people.

Around 1.5 billion people live in countries where there are conflicts, and given this interconnected world, there is no country or community that is safe from these global challenges, Bokova said. According to her, UNESCO's task is to create young people who are peace keepers, creative and socially engaged. Radicalization and violence can be overcome only through showing understanding for others, sharing the values of cultural diversity and respecting human rights. The only infinite renewable energy source are human intelligence and talent, she said.