HRC57 - NB8 statement - Quality education for peace and tolerance for every child

Human Rights Council – 57th session
Item 3: Panel Discussion on quality education for peace and tolerance for every child
Statement by Lithuania on behalf of the Nordic Baltic states
18 September 2024

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic Baltic states.

Thank you for convening the discussion on how to develop accessible, inclusive, equitable and quality education for peace and tolerance for every child.

Education plays a pivotal role in cultivating peace and nurturing political leadership that prioritizes empathy and critical thinking. We welcome UNESCO's Recommendation on Education for Peace and Human Rights which outlines the need for education systems to evolve to foster global citizenship and sustainable development. Participation of children in peace-making processes should be one of the key elements in this regard. We need to acknowledge their unique perspectives and potential contributions to peace.

In addition, many girls and women cannot exercise their right to education due to gender inequality. With over 130 million girls denied education globally, it is imperative to take concrete steps to rectify gender disparities and ensure the fundamental right to education for all, without discrimination. These efforts are not only about achieving gender parity but also about empowering girls and young women, in all their diversity, to be agents of change in their communities and beyond. Education, therefore, is not just a pathway to individual development but a cornerstone for building peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable societies.

Dear Panellists,

What can be done to support education leaders to develop curricula that build peace and prevent all forms of violence and human rights violations?

I thank you.