Secretary-General, in Message to Meeting of University for Peace Council, Commends Their Decision on Institution’s Relaunch
Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by Susana Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet, to the University of Peace Council meeting, in New York today:
The University for Peace (UPEACE) was established in 1980 to create a “worldwide movement of education for Peace”. It is symbolically hosted in Costa Rica, a nation that redirected its defence budget to invest in the peace dividend agenda.
At its thirty-fifth anniversary, UPEACE is continuing its expansion as it pursues the mandate accorded to it by the General Assembly three and a half decades ago. Under this UPEACE Council, the University is implementing a strategy of expanding enrolment through flexible innovation, new online programmes and use of affiliated institutions throughout the world.
I commend the decision taken by the UPEACE Council at its meeting in June to re-launch UPEACE based upon the evolving needs of the international community. Your action represents a pivotal commitment to an investment in peace through education. This relaunch coincides with the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations and builds on the original mandate of UPEACE. It will strengthen the University’s capacity to act as a catalyst for peace through the influence of its post-graduate education programmes and to engage with current and future world leaders to achieve sustainable resolution of conflicts.
This UPEACE Council meeting is tasked with finalizing the strategy to relaunch the University at its thirty-fifth anniversary. I salute the concerted efforts of this Council and all its members in committing to strengthen the University’s managerial framework. Together, you are creating the momentum for a new and positive repositioning of the University that can generate continued and additional support from Member States. I am encouraged by your commitment, dedication and stewardship of UPEACE and wish you a most fruitful session.