‘A culture of peace’

TDT | Manama

A culture of peace and cooperation amongst people around the world is one of the ultimate goals of the International Day of Conscience (IDC), an initiative of HRH the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

This message was shared by leading international figures in a high-profile video conference forum marking the IDC. The forum was organised by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) in cooperation with the Centre for Sustainable Development at Columbia University in the US and the Court of HRH the Premier.

A number of top global figures participated in the forum. Among them were United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini, Alliance of Civilisations High Representative Miguel Ángel Moratinos Cuyaubé, Bahrain’s Shaikh Hussam bin Isa Al Khalifa, and several other officials and peace ambassadors accredited by the UN.

The forum focused on the significance and importance of the initiative of HRH the Prime Minister on launching the IDC and his address to the world on this occasion.

The participants touched on the role played by the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to mobilise global efforts towards creating good conditions for the development process to proceed so that humanity enjoys prosperity and stability, as part of its unwavering interest in sustainable development issues.

Addressing the forum, Shaikh Hussam conveyed the greetings and appreciation from HRH the Prime Minister to the participants and to all those who have contributed to supporting his initiative on the IDC and turning it into a reality.

Shaikh Hussam indicated that HRH the Premier had urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in providing the requirements of peace, growth and stability, amid the current circumstances and the big challenge the entire world is facing with the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the heavy losses it has inflicted.

Other speakers were UN High-Level Commissioner on Health Employment and Economic Growth Alaa Murabit, renowned American actor and producer Michael Kirk Douglas, and UN Messenger of Peace Dr Jane Goodall.

There were also statements by former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, as well as by Tanzanian MP and former UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed said that the ultimate goal of the IDC is to build a culture of peace through love, based on international cooperation, solidarity and respect for human rights.

Former UN General Assembly President Espinosa stressed that the world must view the current COVID-19 crisis as a warning and a wake-up call to our conscience and awareness.

The celebration of the IDC for the first time should remind everyone that they have a role to play in facing this pandemic, away from any selfishness or greed, she noted. On her part, Tanzanian MP Tibaijuka said that as the coronavirus is sweeping the world, the IDC presents an opportunity for people to look into their consciences and lifestyles.