The Maldives National University (MNU), in collaboration with the United Nations, hosted an educational forum to commemorate International Peace Day, bringing together students, academics, policymakers and advocates to explore the role of education, dialogue and collaboration in promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.
The forum provided a platform for participants to engage in discussions on issues relevant to peace and sustainable development, including climate justice, intercultural dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution. Through panel discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions, participants explored how higher education can contribute to social cohesion and equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to engage constructively with complex social and global challenges.
United Nations speakers highlighted the importance of empowering the next generation through empathy, critical thinking and respect for human rights. The discussions encouraged participants to consider practical approaches for integrating peace advocacy into local community initiatives and educational settings across the atolls.
The forum also provided an opportunity for students and other participants to exchange perspectives and explore ways to promote greater understanding among people from diverse backgrounds. By bringing together stakeholders from academic, policy and international development contexts, the event strengthened opportunities for dialogue and collaboration around peace and sustainable development.
The initiative contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting learning, critical thinking and education for peace and sustainable development. It supports SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through its emphasis on inclusive participation, human rights, intercultural understanding and social cohesion. The focus on peaceful conflict resolution, human rights and resilient institutions aligns with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), while the collaboration between MNU and the United Nations directly supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through international cooperation and knowledge exchange.
