Two Pace University students delivered a statement to the United Nations General Assembly last week calling for greater participation of youth, women, survivors of violence and people from the ‘Global South,’ which is comprised of Africa, Latin America, and Asia including the Middle East, in peace and security policymaking.

Pace students Sydney Korman and Terrie Soule delivered the address in which they said, “Disarmament education can and should emphasize the humanitarian, human rights and environmental consequences of arms, militarism and armed conflict. It should seek to empower the next generation of leaders to seek peace and alternative conflict resolution processes rather than relying on violence and war.”

Korman is a Women and Gender Studies and Political Science double major and Soule is a Peace and Justice Studies and Women and Gender Studies major at the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at Pace.

“We are very proud of our students calling for the world’s leaders to listen to the voices of young people,” said Emily Welty, director of the Peace and Justice Studies program. “They challenge us all to work for a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.”

Both students delivered their statement on behalf of nine academic and advocacy organizations including Article 36, Federal University of Pampa, Mine’s Action Canada, Pace University’s Disarmament Institute, the Peace Education Art, Communication Institute, Peace Boat, Soka Gakkai International, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and the World Council of Churches.

When asked about the experience, Soule said, “Disarmament education and involving youth in peace making are essential processes for creating a more sustainable and peaceful future.”

The students’ professors, Welty and Matthew Bolton, worked with students with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and were part of the team recognized with the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize award. Professor Bolton runs the International Disarmament Institute at Pace University. Pace was recognized in a report by UN Secretary-General António Guterres earlier this year as playing “a globally recognized leading role in disarmament education.”

Reprinted from Pace University News.