Today, we join the efforts of the United Nations by advocating a world free of racism and discrimination. We start here, in our classrooms, in all we do and say, in our hearts. We want a world where “compassion and empathy overcome suspicion and hatred”. The 2022 theme of the International Day of Peace is “End Racism – Build Peace”.
We can work to dismantle the structures that entrench racism in our midst. We can support movements for equality and human rights everywhere. We can speak out against hate speech – both offline and online. Racism, xenophobia and related discrimination and intolerance exist in all societies, everywhere. Racism harms not just the lives of those who endure it, but also society as a whole. We all lose in a society characterized by discrimination, division, distrust, intolerance, and hate. The fight against racism is everyone’s fight. We all have a part to play in building a world beyond racism.
As Secretary-General António Guterres has said: “Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and
everyday life in every society. It continues to be a driver of persistent inequality. And it continues to deny people their fundamental human rights. It destabilizes societies, undermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and… the linkages between racism and gender inequality are unmistakable.” https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace
Today our community will unite in solidarity to pray for the end of discrimination, division, distrust, intolerance and hate and ask God’s strength and guidance to bring about a world of peace – to finally end racism and discrimination throughout our world. The students will hang ribbons of all colours in the beautiful trees in front of the College, as a display of diversity, tolerance, solidarity, love and freedom, which we advocate at Merici College. The Merici community will be given a small dove to wear on their blazers as a symbol of their pledge to end racism and build peace. May God guide us in our endeavours!
#internationaldayofpeace #mericipride #mericicommunity
