2014 CTAUN Conference at the United Nations:

PROMOTING PEACE THROUGH EDUCATION

2014 UN Conference Statement

It is not enough to teach children how to read, write and count.  Education has to cultivate mutual respect for others and the world in which we live, and help people forge more just, inclusive and peaceful societies.

~~ UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

12 June 2013

 

 

Ever since the Charter of the United Nations was ratified on 24 October 1945, member states, NGOs, and civil society have worked together to solve international conflicts through diplomacy instead of through violence. Determined to save humankind from the horror of war, to reaffirm faith in human rights, to establish justice and respect for international law, and to promote social progress and better standards of life, they have promised to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors for the economic and social advancement of all peoples. Over the past six decades they have succeeded on many counts, but conflict and violence persist with increasing ferocity.

CTAUN invites educators, students, and concerned citizens to join with distinguished speakers as we explore how the UN and the international community promote disarmament and confront current threats to peace, such as climate change, gender and economic inequality, and hunger. Especially crucial is the number of children worldwide suffering the effects of violent conflict, including being deprived of even a primary education.

We will also consider programs promoting peace, such as UN Resolution 1325, the work of NGOs, and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s Global Education First Initiative. We will highlight the need for education in nonviolent conflict management in the belief that every person, especially educators, can be builders of peace on individual, local, national and international levels. With the adoption of new Common Core Standards, it is more important than ever that students learn to use research and critical thinking skills for real-life applications. By teaching about the power and potential of global peace, we empower our young people to navigate the twenty-first century world.

In July, on her 16^th birthday, Malala Yousafzai, shot in the head last year by the Taliban on her way to school in Pakistan, electrified the world with her stirring words to a UN Youth Conference in New York City. “Let us pick up our books and pens,” she said. “They are our most powerful weapons. One teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” Let us follow her lead.

Register Now!

To see the conference schedule go to http://www.ctaun.org/conferences/conferences2014-un/

ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS:  Participate in the CTAUN POSTER COMPETITION

Submission Guidelines:

• Students must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student
• The poster must address an issue related to peace through education
• (Preference will be given to posters that address peace, conflict resolution, conflict transformation and related topics)
• If the poster is selected the student agrees to be present at the conference session (31 January 2014)
• Student must submit power point file 36x24 portrait
• Submission must include 250 – 500 word abstract

Submission Deadlines:  Midnight of 10 January 2014   Submit to:  ctaun.poster@gmail.com

Four to eight winners will be selected and contacted by CTAUN on January 18th.  The winners will have their registration fee waived.  Winners will receive further instructions on the program by email.