By Dr. Angela Miller, UFIC’s Liaison for Outreach, Diversity, & Inclusion

In honor of the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations (UN), the Gainesville chapter of the United Nations Association hosted a luncheon on October 25th at the Gainesville Woman’s Club under the theme: Peace Matters – Why?

During the event, a tribute was given to the late Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations who was honored for his outstanding contributions to global peacekeeping. Keynote Speaker, William Phillips, UN Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support spoke on the topic: “Preventing Conflict and Keeping Peace: Changing How the UN Does Business.” Students from the University of Florida accompanied Dr. Angela Miller, Liaison for Outreach, Diversity, & Inclusion. UF Model UN students also attended the event.

Phillips addressed major factors that contribute to the increasing threats to UN’s peacekeeping operations: deepening conflicts, grave violations of human rights and humanitarian laws, rising inequality, spreading intolerance, entrenched discrimination against women, the impact of climate change, threats of the use of weapons of mass destruction, and multiple, interconnected terrorism. Phillips also gave a broad overview of The UN ‘s 2018 organizational reform agenda to make the UN fit for the 21st century, which includes strategies to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations to support member states in pursuit of goals to confront global challenges and the on-going efforts for peacemaking and peace keeping.

Diverse UF students offered their perspectives on why peace matters:

“Peace matters because it is freedom from the constraints of a society rooted in dehumanization. Conflict exist in the pursuit of balance, most of the time power. In the context of experiences in our current day, peace means the creation and settlement of a foundation created by voices ignored for so long with open ears to the voices we have yet to hear.” Akil-Winston Reynolds, 4th year Public Health major, President of UF Black Student Union

“Peace matters because it is the absolute way to ensure that every human can have access to the equity they need to have the best quality of life. People who corrupt peace are the ones that believe they hold power over others. Not one person should stand in the way of others obtaining the best life possible. This is why we need peace.” Sophia Ahmed, Third Year Material Science & Engineering major, Student Ambassador for LGBTQ Affairs

“Growing up in a conflict zone has taught me that peace is the basis of a healthy and prolific life for all, regardless of your socio-economic class or political views. It is what many in our world yearn and strive to realize. No child’s upbringing should nurture a mindset where the loudness of cross fire a few meters away from their doorsteps is normal. It matters because not one person deserves to go home to an empty chair on their dining table, owed to one’s absence of regard for another human being’s life. It matters because nobody deserves to fear the unscrupulous loss of their beloved ones’ when they embark on fending for their families every morning. Peace, matters – because it gives us faith in a better tomorrow. Peace provides us that little ray of hope, reminding us that those we’ve lost got us a bit closer to the shore, and their lives were not in vain.” Dana Awwd, International Students from Palestine, International and Sustainability Studies with Minor in Mass Communication

It is important for our students to be exposed to global issues, and global perspectives, and to gain experiences in a global context that will help them to learn more about world challenges. We hope that UF Gators become graduates who are well-prepared to work in a global context, and innovate to contribute to solving humanity’s most pressing problems.