Antonio Guterres: Diversity must be a source of strength instead of threat
October 13, 2021, 12:05 am

Antonio Guterres: Diversity must be a source of strength instead of threat

Diversity-Faces/Pixabay

The Xinhua reported, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday that diversity must be seen as a source of strength instead of threat in search for peace.

He told an open debate of the Security Council on diversity, state-building and the search for peace: "For countries emerging from the horrors of conflict and looking to a better future -- indeed for all countries -- diversity must not be seen as a threat. It is a source of strength."

He said, diversity should be seen as an anchor of peace and stability and a rallying point for every person to contribute to a better future -- for themselves, and for their societies.

Parties to conflict can agree to end hostilities. They can agree to begin the long process of rebuilding a country. And they can even join forces to reconstitute a government. Guterres warned that without including a wide range of diverse voices at every step of this process -- without bringing all people along -- any peace will be short-lived.

He added, long-standing grievances, inequalities, mistrust and social divisions do not simply vanish when the fighting stops. They can easily flare up again. And they can be worsened if people and groups hungry for change do not see their needs and vision for the future being addressed.

To promote inclusion in the process of rebuilding communities and sustaining peace, Guterres emphasized three areas for action.

First, national institutions and laws must work for all people.

This means protecting and promoting human rights, including people's rights to health, education, protection and opportunity. It means implementing policies and laws that protect vulnerable groups, including laws against discrimination based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. And it means working with all partners to develop stronger national capacities that can serve all people equally, he said.

Second, countries should explore ensuring a greater voice to subnational regions.

Countries emerging from years, or even decades, of instability cannot afford to ignore the views of entire segments of their populations and risk fueling future resentments. Governments must find ways to move people forward together, as one, through constant dialogue -- recognizing and respecting differences -- even if this means devolving some areas of authority, he said.

Third, women, young people and the most marginalized must be involved every step of the way.

Building and sustaining peace requires their voices and actions. That's why UN peacekeeping operations and special political missions put a strong emphasis on greater inclusion and meaningful participation of women and young people. The international community must continue encouraging and supporting the full and active participation of women and young people in this journey, he said.

Source: xinhua

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.