| :: Teaching References |
| Teaching References |
| The Importance of Teaching About the United Nations |
| The events following September 11, 2001 made it even more important for us to teach about the United Nations. The United States and other developed countries are part of a world in which the majority of people live without enough food, clean water, health services, educational opportunities and much more that we take for granted. Humanity cannot survive between "Haves" and "Have-nots." The struggle to survive leads to wars, terrorism, environmental degradation and endless suffering. The United Nations is an organization with experience in bringing people and countries together to work on global problems. It is time that we join with the U.N. and put our expertise and resources behind its efforts. No one country can solve global problems alone, but together, through the United Nations, the Twenty-first century may prove to be less violent and more just and compassionate than the Twentieth century. Such a hope was expressed when the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the United Nations, and Kofi Annan its Secretary-General. Here are some excerpts from his acceptance speech which stress even more clearly the importance of the United Nations, now and in the future. Acceptance Speech of Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (Excerpts from New York Times article, 11 December 2001) "Terrorism We have entered the third millennium through a gate of fire. If today—after the horrors of Sept.11—we see better and we see further, we will realize that humanity is indivisible. New threats make no distinctions between races, nations or regions. A new insecurity has entered every mind, regardless of wealth or status. A deeper awareness of the bonds that bind us all … has gripped young and old." "Poverty The cost … is borne by all of us—north and south, rich and poor, men and women of all races and religions. Today's real borders are not between nations, but between powerful and powerless, free and fettered, privileged and humiliated." "United Nations In the 21st century I believe the mission of the United Nations will be defined by a new, more profound, awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion ... We must focus, as never before, on improving the conditions of the individual men and women who give the state or nation its richness and character." "Human Rights The sovereignty of states must no longer be used as a shield for gross violations of human rights. Peace must be made real and tangible in the daily existence of every individual in need. Peace must be sought, above all, because it is the condition for every member of the human family to live a life of dignity and security." —By Sylvia Gordon, Secretary, CTAUN and NGO, International Baccalaureate Organisation |