International Day of Peace - Peace and Sustainable Development: Intergenerational Challenges in Vienna , Austria

International Day of Peace Peace and Sustainable Development: Intergenerational Challenges Vienna International Centre – United Nation, Austria, 16. September 2016

I By Peter Haider n honor of the UN’s International Day of Peace, an innovative event was held in the Vienna International Center (United Nation) on September 16, 2016: a look at the intergenerational challenges of peace through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The compelling combination of The morning session focused on Norway’s Ambassador Bente Angell- international speakers and panelists ‘’Connecting Peace and the UN’s Hansen praised the cooperation ranged from diplomats, academics, and Sustainable Development Goals.’’ between UNODC and Interpol in civil society leaders to UN officials, Opening speeches began with a welcome fighting corruption and then discussed and public-policy experts. In an unique from Mr. Peter Haider, president of the the importance of SDG 10 in reducing approach, speakers included female Universal Peace Federation in Austria; the inequalities which drive conflict. WWII witnesses from across the world, following was a keynote from Mr. Jean- including an atomic bomb survivor, a Luc Lemahieu, Director of Policy woman who lived through the Blitz Analysis and Public Affairs, UNODC. bombings in England, and an Austrian Mr. Lemahieu discussed the UN’s agenda subjected to deportation and forced in tackling challenges which create social labor. Youth was incorporated into the disarray and highlighted the UNODC’s event both as audience members and as related work. musical performers. Sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation and the Academic Council on the United Nations System, the conference animated the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with historical context, Dr. Walter Kemp, Vice President of contemporary realities, and forward- the International Peace Institute, looking vision. outlined ‘’Pulling Together: The Multilateral System and Its Future,’’ an upcoming report from the Independent Commission on Multilateralism.

After a short speech citing the Colombian peace agreement and other contemporary policy issues, UNODC Deputy Executive Director Aldo Lale- Demoz invited the three female witnesses to join him in ringing the Peace Bell. Members of the Superar Sarah and Mira Gregoric of the children’s orchestra provided musical Slovenian music school in Carinthia accompaniment, including a rousing played two musical selections inspired rendition of ‘Ode to Joy.’ by the International Day of Peace and Slovenian culture.

Brigadier Dr. Feichtinger of the Austrian Defense Academy delineated ‘’Five Thoughts’’ about taking responsibility for peace both within The afternoon session, which focused oneself and in relation to the broader on ‘’Peace, Sustainable Development, world. The panel discussion from 11:30am- Disarmament and Engaging the 12:30pm was entitled: ‘’What is the Public,’’ began with a clip from the connection between peace and the Riahi brothers’ upcoming film entitled implementation of various SDGs?’’ Dr. Kinders. Film director Arash T Riahi Michael Platzer, Liaison of the then discussed the importance of Academic Council on the United education and intercultural Nations System, chaired the session understanding in achieving peace. and gave a comprehensive statistical analysis of the various SDGs, concluding that the international Next was the first session on the community showed little regard for intergenerational challenges of peace. those in need. Mr. Gerhard Götz of the Austrian Dr. Ismail Yasin of the Austrian Permanent Mission to the UN Vienna Academy of Sciences considered issues spoke of his Mission’s commitment to of good and evil in contemporary the United Nations, while Mrs. Rosina policy, while Dr. Stefan Stoev, Wernig, an Austrian WWII witness, Founder of the IDEA Society, discussed the Nazi regime’s persecution discussed the impact of images and art of Austrians of Slovenian descent on cultural values. Dr. Anis H. Mr. Jack Corley, Chair of the within the context of contemporary Bajrektarevic, professor in Universal Peace Federation in Europe, cultural struggles. international law and global political spoke about the fundamental principles studies, argued that powerful countries of the organization and gave an are not held responsible for the overview of his group’s many exploitation they create; Mr. Maria- accomplishments. Jose Alvear of the Regional Academy Ambassador Franz Josef Kuglitsch, on the United Nations discussed new Director of Disarmament, Arms possibilities for the Comprehensive Control and Non-Proliferation for Test Ban Treaty. BMEIA, discussed his Ministry’s A highlight of the day was when three leadership regarding nuclear female WWII witnesses from once- disarmament. warring nations (Rosina Wernig of Next was the afternoon session on the Austria, Hazel Richardson of England, intergenerational challenges of peace. and Reiko Yamada of Japan) stood Ambassador Leigh Turner, UK side-by-side in ringing the Peace Bell. Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, introduced the

In closing the conference, Heather WWII witness from England, Ms necessity for nuclear abolition. Nadja Wokusch, one of the organizers, Hazel Richardson. Ms. Richardson Schmidt, Director of ICAN Austria, and thanked the participants. She noted the talked about growing up during the Alyn Ware, Global Coordinator of historical significance of including the Battle of Britain and the ongoing Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non- elderly witnesses in the International emotional effects of having Proliferation and Disarmament, Day of Peace event, especially since the experienced constant bombardment. discussed the accomplishments of their UN had been created when WWII various organizations and joined the call ended, with the specific mandate of for nuclear disarmament. advancing peace, security, MP Petra Bayr discussed an upcoming development, and human rights. SDG-related event at the Austrian Parliament, while while Billy Batware, . Consultant, Civil Society Team of UNODC, highlighted the challenges of pursuing innovation within the UN system.

Mr. Fukuichiro Tanaka, Minister- Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, then introduced the atomic bomb witness, Mrs. Reiko Yamada, who gave a compelling call for nuclear disarmament.

The final panel examined: ‘’What is the connection between peace, disarmament and the implementation of various SDGs? How can the general public become more engaged?’’ Laura Rockwood, Executive Director of the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, chaired the session and gave an engaging talk on the