Educational empowerment spurs resilience, peace: AUC PAPS

Addis Ababa, February 13, 2024 (FBC) – Education transcends mere knowledge acquisition, empowering individuals, fostering resilience, and cultivating peace, according to Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

The AUC commissioner articulated these remarks whilst delivering a keynote address at the AU’s educational event being convened in Addis Ababa on the sidelines of the 37th AU Summit. This event, co-hosted by the African Union, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-OHCHR), the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the World Bank, and the AU Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS), is being conducted under the overarching theme: ‘Ensuring the provision of equitable and inclusive quality education to disrupt and prevent cycles of violence in Africa.’

It is learned that today’s gathering focus is on exploring opportunities to strengthen the preventive impact of the right to education with a human rights approach.

The meeting brought together participants from African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security (AUC PAPS), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), UN Agencies, World Bank, Civil Society Organizations, Think Tanks, AU Missions, the diplomatic corps alongside stakeholders in the pertinent policy and practice arena.

In her welcoming remarks, Patience Chiradza, the Director of the Governance and Conflict Prevention at AUC PAPS, emphasized the significance of today’s event at a critical juncture, aligning with the AU Theme of the Year 2024. She highlighted, “Education is a fundamental human right and a powerful tool for fostering development, peace and progress.”

In his keynote speech, Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner of AUC PAPS, emphasized the critical importance of prioritizing and investing in education. “Education goes beyond knowledge acquisition; it empowers individuals, builds resilience, and fosters a culture of peace,” he highlighted.

“AUC PAPS actively fosters education through various programs, including the ongoing integration of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance into school curricula. We are committed to capacity building for women and youth in peace-related thematic areas,” he added.

It is stated that AU is striving to harness the “development and peace potential of the people for the Africa we want”. The goal, according to AU, is to raise awareness about the importance of the right to education and its role in building resilience and mitigate fragility and violent conflict.