Updates from UN NGO

On September 21st, 2024, the Dominican Leadership Conference was honored to attend the high-level panel discussion titled “Peace Not War,” held at the United Nations Headquarters as part of the Action Days leading up to the Summit of the Future. This panel brought together prominent global stakeholders, including the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN, the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the UN, UNESCO, and others. The event explored concrete actions that can advance peace, justice, and inclusion to support the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The panel opened with a powerful metaphor shared by Ambassador Leonor Zalabata Torres, representing Colombia’s Arhuaca people. She compared peacebuilding to constructing a wall made of stones, where smaller stones support larger ones. Her message highlighted that peace requires collaboration from all levels of society, from grassroots communities to global organizations, reinforcing the idea that peace is a continuous process that cannot be achieved in isolation.

The discussion also brought to light some sobering realities of the modern digital age. Maher Nassan, one of the panelists, spoke about the dangerous role of the internet and social media in destabilizing peace. He explained how terrorist groups have weaponized these platforms to spread violence and manipulate vulnerable individuals, particularly in already struggling communities. One eye-opening statistic Nassan presented was that 39% of people actively avoid all news, contributing to the creation of what he termed “news deserts.” This avoidance leaves people vulnerable to misinformation and can lead to the rise of extremist views—further polarizing societies. For the Dominican Leadership Conference, this underscores the importance of promoting informed, critical engagement with media in the pursuit of justice and peace.

Another deeply moving moment came from a female panelist named Amita, who introduced the concept of “Globalizing Compassion.” She spoke about the humanitarian crises affecting children in war-torn regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. Through her words, Amita urged the audience to view these children not just as distant victims but as members of our global family. Her poem, which began with the poignant lines “Open your eyes, ma, it is my time to sleep; Play with me, ma, sing me that song,” gave voice to the confusion and abandonment experienced by so many children caught in conflict. Amita’s message reminded us of the importance of compassion in global policymaking—a value deeply aligned with the Dominican mission to stand in solidarity with those who suffer.

The panel also addressed key drivers of peace, such as the role of education and the empowerment of youth. As discussed, universal access to education and giving young people a platform in policy discussions are essential for securing a peaceful future. This resonated with the Dominican Leadership Conference’s belief that young voices must be heard and respected in the discourse around their own future. Education is not only a tool for personal empowerment but also a foundation for creating inclusive and just societies, which is essential in any peace-building effort.

Participating in discussions like these is crucial for the Dominican Leadership Conference because they connect our mission to the broader global efforts for peace and justice. The insights shared at the “Peace Not War” panel reinforced our understanding that peace requires both systemic action and a deeply personal commitment to compassion and inclusion. These discussions inform our ongoing advocacy for truth, justice, and the dignity of all individuals, particularly those affected by conflict and violence.

Attending such events allows us to deepen our engagement with critical global issues, bringing the values of the Dominican tradition—compassion, justice, and truth—to the forefront of international dialogue. Through this lens, we continue our work, inspired by the message that peace is built not only through policy but also through genuine human connection and understanding.

Update written by Grace McDonough. Grace is an intern with the NGO, Grace is a Hope Dominican Volunteer in Mariandale , Ossining, NY. She is with the DLC for one semester.  She is a recent graduate from McCallister in Minnesota.It is a pleasure to have Grace working with the Dominican Leadership Conference.