U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon underscored the timeliness and relevance of the U.N. Global Colloquium of University Presidentsin the face of the vast destruction of cultural treasures and explained their importance.
"Art, literature, music, poetry, architecture: these are the hallmarks of our human existence," he said. "They form a common thread that unites all civilizations and cultures; a celebration of our emotional lives and the beauty of our natural environment. Our cultural heritage defines our humanity."
Ban said the issue is "not only about stones, buildings and papers. It’s about identity and dignity." He talked about a landmark resolution passed last year by the UN Security Council.
"The Council condemned the destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria and adopted legally-binding measures to combat the illicit trafficking of antiquities and cultural artifacts from these countries," he said.
Ban spoke to a packed auditorium of distinguished academics, students, and faculty, about the impact of climate change, the importance of gender equality, and the need for passionate debate and a respectful exchange of ideas.
He said the world is at a critical juncture.
"Can you believe that there are more than 60-million people around the world who need immediate assistance, lifesaving humanitarian assistance. This is the largest number since the end of the second world war," he said.
The United Nations is responding to these problems, according to Ban, but he stressed the importance of youth to multiply international efforts.
The colloquium was sponsored by university presidents from Brown, Columbia, Princeton, Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, and New York University.
