Paris, September 26 (QNA) - HE Chairperson of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to UNESCO Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al Hinzab stressed that fending off racism, discrimination, nepotism and hatred in their various patterns is not merely a matter of laws and institutions, but requires strengthening the role of education, dialogue and a culture of mutual respect.

Education is one of the most powerful pillars of peace, while safeguarding the right of children and young people to education is, in essence, a protection of human dignity, as well as the opportunities and potential to build a more peaceful and fairer future, HE Al Hinzab said.

This came during the visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV of the Vatican to UNESCO's headquarters in Paris, in the presence of HE Director-General of UNESCO, Dr. Khaled Ahmed El Enany, and HE President of the General Conference, Khondker Mohammad Talha, in a visit that marked the first one by a pope to the organization's headquarters in more than four decades.

Al Hinzab added that the Pope's visit to UNESCO, in the wake of challenges, conflicts and divisions unfolding in the world, carries a message of hope to the international community and serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to one another, safeguarding shared humanity, and upholding the values that bring peoples together and unite them.

In a message addressed to the Pope on the occasion, HE Al Hinzab said it was his great honor to welcome him to UNESCO on this historic visit at a time when the world is facing uncertainty amid the escalating conflicts and divisions.

HE Al Hinzab underlined that, for him, this occasion carries particular significance as he comes from the State of Qatar, which places great importance on dialogue, mutual respect and promoting understanding among religions and cultures.

  This moment offers an opportunity to reaffirm what can be achieved when the international community chooses dialogue over division and understanding over exclusion, Al Hinzab underlined.

He emphasized the importance of ramping up international efforts to confront all kinds of racism, discrimination, intolerance and hatred, given the harm they inflict on human dignity and the weakening of the bonds that bring communities together.

HE Al Hinzab added that every human being, regardless of their origin, religion or culture, has the right to live with dignity, to have their voice heard, and to feel that they are an integral part of their community and shared humanity.

Education and future generations are a core component of his message, Al Hinzab pointed out, remarking that the international community's shared responsibility extends to the children and young people who will inherit the world being shaped today.

He highlighted that education is not merely a fundamental human right, but also one of the strongest foundations upon which peace is built, thus placing a responsibility on the international community to protect this right, particularly for children and young people whose ability to continue their education is threatened by conflict, displacement, poverty or crises.

HE Al Hinzab said no child should be deprived of their school, teacher or the hope that education provides, reemphasizing that protecting education is, in essence, protecting human dignity, opportunities and the possibility of building a more peaceful and just future.

He added that the international community's responsibility is not limited to giving young people hope, but also includes providing them with the knowledge, confidence and opportunities that enable them to turn that hope into reality and contribute effectively to building a better world.

HE Al Hinzab hoped that the Pope's visit to UNESCO would help strengthen the shared commitment to dialogue, education, human dignity and peace, renew the determination to confront racism and discrimination, protect every child's right to education, and ensure that no one is left behind because of their identity, origin or beliefs. (QNA)