Beirut, 19 September 2016 (United Nations Information Centre) — To mark the International Day of Peace, Media Association for Peace (MAP) organized on Sunday a talent show in partnership with the UN Information Centre in Beirut (UNIC Beirut) and MasterPeace Club, bringing together young talents who called for peace through different art forms.
The “Arts Talent Show” – organized as part of the “Festival du Bois des Pins” in collaboration with Assabil, Nahnoo, the Nawaya Network, and Junior Chamber International (JCI) NGOs – saw the participation of young men and women who expressed their desire for peace and prosperity by dancing, singing and playing the music.
UNIC Beirut Director Margo Helou said that marking the International Day of Peace gains more significance this year due to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda, which gives priority to youth and peace in all its goals. She pointed out that media plays a key role in motivating young people to spread messages of peace and promote a culture of non-violence.
MAP Founder and President Vanessa Bassil, for her part, said this event aims at building networks of communication among the various segments of society, and thus; providing youth with a platform to express their views on peace through arts. “This occasion is a celebration of cultural diversity, and proves that despite differences in our societies, we are able to create a common ground, where everyone agrees on the need to strive for peace and reduce violence,” she added.
Earlier this month, UNIC Beirut launched a one-year partnership with MAP that aims at promoting the role of media in advocating for peace, and contributing to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”. The partnership also falls under SDG 17: “Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development”, which calls for similar partnerships to secure successful implementation of Agenda 2030 on sustainable development, adopted by the UN last September.
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. The Day’s theme for 2016 is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.”