Give peace a chance - Isatou

ISATOU SEY, KAUR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, THE GAMBIA

Many see peace as the absence of war and violence, however, peace is beyond this notion. According to the United Nations (September, 2014) peace is more than just the absence of war. It also requires the need for concerted efforts to achieve the common vision of a life of dignity and wellbeing for all. Peace is key to the development and social wellbeing for all.


We should endeavour to give peace a chance in order to see a swift change. If this is not done, it can lead to negative issues, even in our schools. For example, it can cause loss of confidence and interest in learning, which lead to poor performance in students. A student without peace of mind at home, finds it difficult to stay in school and contribute in class discussions. Such students would be aggressive to both teachers and peers.


Peace needs the highest chance because it’s absence can cause family disintegration and other social vices that retard progress. If families fall apart, triggered by the absence of peace, it can replicate at a national level. A disintegrated country cannot achieve any meaningful development. This can result in political unrest. As enshrined in our National Anthem, “that all may live in unity, freedom, and peace, each day”, these lines should be read and echoed by everyone, to preach peace on a daily basis. One of the reasons why Africans remain poor is the frequent outbursts of wars. In fact, Africa is not poor. We only fail to give peace a chance. We tend to solve every misunderstanding with confrontation.


We can give peace a chance using different platforms. First, The Gambia being a religious country, it is prudent for our religious leaders to preach peace in their congregations. If they do this, peace will forever reign. In addition, the school as an agent of socialisation can talk about peace during assemblies to change the mindsets of students in embracing peace. Furthermore, our politicians and tribal heads must show a high level of comradeship and tolerance in their activities so that their followers will follow suit to give peace a chance.


In conclusion, it is evident that without peace, nothing is possible in life. As a result, we should all endeavour to give peace a chance by making sure that all deterrents to peace are eliminated for meaningful development.

ISATOU SEY • September 11, 2023

UNESCO UK ASPnet celebrates young people planting seeds of hope around the world

By Ann Beatty • October 8, 2026
The 2026 UNESCO UK ASPnet Seeds of Hope Competition Online Awards Ceremony took place on 30 September 2026 and was attended by over 70 participants, including young people, teachers, the Competition Judges and UNESCO Commission representatives. The ethos of the Competition was ‘ to recognise, value and celebrate the efforts of all young people who entered the Competition, and their contribution towards helping UNESCO realise many of its key objectives, especially with regard to sustainability and climate challenges’. 2026 is the second year that UNESCO UK has undertaken the Seeds of Hope for a Better Future Competition. The Competition featured 50 projects, involving 13 countries across six continents, and representing 67 educational institutions from all sectors (early years, primary, secondary and tertiary). Significantly, this was more than double the participation in the 2025 Competition, with thousands of young people taking part in, or being impacted . Eight winners from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Slovenia received Gold Certificates and shared the £5000 prize pot. Seven Kenyan Teacher Training College projects were also collectively recognised for projects that strongly support the sustainability and climate change objectives of UNESCO through ongoing work of local, regional, national and international importance, and received the 2026 UNESCO UK ASPnet Seeds of Hope Legacy Award . 

UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

By Ann Beatty • September 25, 2026
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.