India: Championing RiseUp4Peace, Badminton Icon Saina Nehwal advocates youth engagement with education to build peace and justice

New Delhi, India/12 August 2024: On International Youth Day, Indian badminton icon Saina Nehwal delivered a heartfelt video message, championing UNODC's RiseUp4Peace initiative. Nehwal is an acclaimed sportsperson, a 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 instill these core values in young people.

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

"Education is the 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 that’s close to my heart." This sentiment aligns with India's National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes the importance of integrating these values into the educational system.

In this direction, UNODC’s RiseUp4Peace initiative is designed to equip educators, students, and policymakers with the tools to build 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 navigate challenges with resilience and social responsibility.

Known for her resilience and success on the court, Nehwal extended her influence to advocate for the transformative power of education in shaping young lives and promoting a culture of peace and lawfulness. "This is education that transforms lives," she emphasized. “I’m all in for this vision. Are 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/