UN chief highlights role of education in building peace

"To fundamentally tackle the roots of conflict, we need to promote an understanding of our common humanity. We need a culture that upholds human dignity and human life," said Ban at the General Assembly's high-level forum on the culture of peace.

The secretary-general cited the "large-scale destruction" of war and violent attacks today, in Syria and elsewhere, too often borne out of discrimination, bigotry, and hatred.

"Through education, we teach children not to hate. Through education, we raise leaders who act with wisdom and compassion. Through education, we establish a true, lasting culture of peace," he said.

Next week, at a high-level debate on the culture of peace, the secretary-general will launch a new global initiative called Education First that aims to give all children access to quality education.

"We want to give every child the chance to attend school. We want them to have quality lessons. And we want to strengthen their core values," said Ban.

In discussing the prevention of conflict, Ban also put great urgency on addressing disarmament issues, making it a key focus of the UN five-year action agenda.

The secretary-general called it a "moral outrage" that the world spends more on weapons in one day than the UN spends on peace, development, human rights and peace missions in one year.

"When we look at the suffering in our world, we know how urgently we need a culture of peace," added Ban.