University advocates counteraction to incitement of violence against any faith
Dr David Fernandez Puyana, Ambassador and Permanent Observer of the University for Peace (UPEACE) to the UN Office in Geneva and UNESCO in Paris praised the important transformation of the Egyptian educational system from the traditional learning to digitisation.
“This change of paradigm paves the way to prepare a future generation of vibrant citizens with their future. We join our efforts with the UNESCO Office in Cairo to reinforce this change,” he said in an interview with the Egyptian Mail.
Puyana, who was on a visit to Egypt this week, added that the university advocates measures to counter incitement to hatred and violence against any kind of faith, religion or person, regardless of their colour, culture, origin or sex.
He added that his university also advocates for women’s empowerment in the field of peace and diplomacy.
At the invitation of Dr Abdulaziz Almuzaini, Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science for the Arab States, the UPEACE shared in a technical consultation with UNESCO experts about water as a human right and climate change. This was in preparation for the 27th Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP27), which will be hosted in Egypt.
Puyana also met the deputy director of the Egyptian Institute for Diplomatic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed a strategic partnership in 2020.
The UPEACE was established by a United Nations General Assembly Resolution in 1980 under the leadership of Costa Rica. The mandate of this intergovernmental organisation, composed of 41 member states, is to promote education on peace through the preparation of a wide range of masters degrees and doctorate programmes.
In the Middle East and Caucasus region, its presence is slowly increasing, thanks to the signature of some agreements of co-operation with diplomatic academies for the training and capacity building on conflict resolution of their diplomats in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,.
Last Sunday, the UPEACE signed an agreement with the most important Saudi humanitarian institution, the King Salman Centre for Relief and Humanitarian Action, to deliver higher education to refugees and people in need, as well as, dialogue and co-operation.
As part of the UN family, UPEACE respects the resolutions on this topic adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. In particular, it strongly believes that the only solution to this conflict can only come through the peaceful settlement of disputes.
UPEACE enjoy of a wide experience on that by offering its Master Degree on International Law and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, in which well-known and renowned experts share their good practices.
Last year 2021, Bahrain delivered a joint oral statement on women, peace and diplomacy for the first time ever at the United Nations Human Rights Council on behalf of Bahrain, Israel, UAE, Morocco and UPEACE, which received the co-sponsorhip of 70 Member States, a big success.
“We will pursue our full engagement with women’s rights and peace in the region of Middle East,” Puyana said.
He added that another important factor to be highlighted is the strong need to take effective measures at the national, regional and international level to counter the incitement to hatred and violence against all kind of faith, religion and person. The role of media is fundamental to fight against hate speech.
UPEACE joined efforts in this direction with the Muslim World League alongside the World Jewish Congress and the Lateran Pontifical University of Holy See through the preparation of books, guidelines and expert consultations.
Science, technology and innovation is also an important element in the peace agenda, Puyana said.
In its recent visit to Expo Dubai in November 2021, UPEACE participated in a high level expert meeting with prominent women from Israel, Bahrain and UAE at the pavillon of Israel, which it organized by Ambassador Aviva Raz Shechter, Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security of Israel.
UPEACE also took the opportunity to visit the pavillon of Palestine and discuss the potential of conscientious and just – common peace actions with Ambassador Yonis of Palestine in UAE.
“Both Israel and Palestine should enjoy of their right to live in peace and security free from fear,” Puyana said.
In its visit to the region last week, UPEACE was warmly received by the Director of the Arafat’s Museum in Ramallah and the Peres Center for Peace & Innovation in Tel-Aviv- Yafo.
Puyana concluded the visit with the commitment to always dream big.
Invited by the governments of Israel and Palestine, UPEACE recently visited Jerusalem and Ramallah in order to meet with high officials from both ministries of foreign affairs.
Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Puyana said that in this aspect in particular, the university does not have a plan of action on this regard.
“Saying that, I am of the view that Egypt has a privileged geographical position in the Middle East and North Africa to better understand the importance of dialogue and co-operation with all the countries of the region,” he added.
Discussion about this post