Secretary-General Hails Italian Diplomatic Academy as Fine Example of Relationship Between United Nations, Higher Learning Institutions

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by Cristina Gallach, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, to the Italian Diplomatic Academy event “The United Nations:  70 Years of Successes and Challenges”, in New York today:

It is a great pleasure to address you this morning at this event on the successes and challenges for the United Nations since its inception.

Reflecting on the Organization’s past achievements, and considering what we can do better to meet the challenges we face, are particularly timely as we move forward after our seventieth anniversary to implement the landmark agreements on the sustainable development agenda and on climate change.

One enduring truth is that the United Nations needs civil society to help us achieve our common goals.  I thank all the dedicated individuals working hard, sometimes on a voluntary basis, for civil society organizations that complement our efforts.  Non-governmental organizations in particular can contribute to policy and advocacy frameworks through their affiliation with the United Nations Department of Public Information or the Economic and Social Council.

Academic institutions serve as incubators for new ideas and catalysts for change, and bring the energetic voices of students to the United Nations.  The United Nations Academic Impact initiative partners with institutions of higher education that support the principles of the United Nations, from human rights to literacy, sustainability and conflict resolution.  The Italian Diplomatic Academy is a fine example of this relationship.

In May, the United Nations will have the chance to reinvigorate its engagement with NGOs and the academic community at the sixty-sixth United Nations Department of Public Information/NGO Conference, set to take place in the city of Gyeongju, in the Republic of Korea.  The Conference will bring together some 2,000 non-governmental organization representatives under the theme “Education for Global Citizenship:  Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Together”.  It aims to harness expertise across the widest spectrum of civil society to unleash a range of education initiatives that ensure equitable quality education, as well as life-long learning opportunities for all.  I encourage you to participate.

I thank you for holding this event at the United Nation and wish you a productive discussion.