As a champion of RiseUp4Peace, badminton icon Saina Nehwal advocates for youth involvement in education to create peace and justice

India: As a RiseUp4Peace advocate, badminton icon Saina Nehwal advocates youth involvement in education to create peace and justice

New Delhi, India/August 12, 2024: On International Youth Day, Indian badminton icon Saina Nehwal delivered a heartfelt video message advocating for UNODC’s RiseUp4Peace InitiativeNehwal is a celebrated sportsman, former world number one and the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in badminton.

In her powerful message, Nehwal reflected on the parallels between sports and education. “Badminton teaches us about ethics, rules and fairness. These are the same values ​​behind a just and inclusive society,” she said, calling for education to inculcate these core values ​​in young people.

The challenges that young people face today are more complex than ever. Negative influences and risky behaviors such as violence, drug abuse, bullying and crime pose a major threat to their well-being and future. Addressing these issues requires more than just awareness; it requires proactive and values-based education with activity-based learning.

“Education is key to building values ​​like ethics, integrity and inclusion,” she asserted. “By empowering young people to make the world a better place, we can promote peace and justice. This is a vision close to my heart.” This sentiment resonates with India’s National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises the importance of integrating these values ​​into the education system.

In this direction, UNODC’s RiseUp4Peace initiative is designed to provide educators, students and policymakers with the tools to create a culture of peace, integrity and social responsibility from the classroom. By integrating these values ​​into educational frameworks, the initiative aims to empower young people to face challenges with resilience and social responsibility.

Known for her resilience and success on the field, Nehwal extended her influence to advocate for the transformative power of education in shaping young lives and promoting a culture of peace and justice. “This is education that transforms lives,” she emphasized. “I am all for this vision. How about you? Let’s inspire change together!”

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP4Its4jhUY

Join the RiseUp4Peace initiative: t.ly/SjWRq

The activity contributed to SDG 4, SDG 5, SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/