Why peace and justice begin with inclusion
Reflecting on SDG 10 and SDG 16 through the lived experience of conflict, fear, and the need for protection
Drawing on my childhood experience of living through conflict and the fear my family faced without protection, I reflected on the importance of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), highlighting why inclusive societies, justice, and effective institutions are essential for safeguarding communities and ensuring no one is left behind.
Speech by Ms. Margaret Akullo, Project Coordinator The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Speaking at the Chinese TV show ‘ Keep Running’ Vienna-Austria, 6 March 2018
More than 40 years ago, I was a child living in a country going through conflict. I was surrounded by adults and children in fear of losing their lives, people trying to run away to a place of safety. There was no water, no electricity, no food, schools were closed and as I hid under the bed with my brothers and sisters, I remember asking myself - Who knows we are here? Who will hear us? Who will rescue us? Those questions, which ran through my head over 40 years ago, are still relevant today. Did anyone hear our voices? Did anyone act to protect us? Has anything changed?
Well there is now a global commitment to create a better world where everyone can live in peace and prosperity. We at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime are working towards reducing inequality within and between countries and on peace, justice and strong institutions.
SDG 10.7: When there is conflict, people will try to move to a place of safety. In conflict situations, criminals not only take advantage of the disorder and chaos they also take advantage of people’s fear of being attacked or harmed. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and others promote the safe movement of people to places of safety. We help countries to restore law and order by training officials to be able to identify and assist people who may have been caught up with human trafficking.
SDG 16.2: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is also working with governments to increase understanding of different forms of criminal acts and to highlight the help there is for people affected by such crime.
It has done this recently by running a nation-wide anti human trafficking campaign during a 100 day period, where over 10,000 people including children and young people participated in live TV programmes (like this one), live radio phone-in shows, a bicycle marathon, and musical contests.
A society will be judged by how it treats its people. Everyone should live in a place where there is peace, where they feel safe and have equal access to everything from education to jobs and healthcare. Let’s have a heart…let’s “Hear their voices and Act to Protect”.