HRH Premier's IDC initiative lauded by WHO Director-General

Manama, Apr. 5 (BNA): World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has lauded His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to designate April 5 as an International Day of Conscience (IDC), noting that HRH Premier’s initiative carries noble goals that consolidate diversity, inclusiveness and collective action to keep the world safe. WHO chief stressed the importance of HRH Premier’s initiative, especially amid the current situation the world is facing because of Coronavirus, which makes it “more pressing than ever to promote a culture of peace with love and conscience,” he said. He expressed hope that everyone will seek to “champion diversity, inclusiveness and solidarity!" He also hoped that governments will work closely with local communities to ensure peace and sustainable development, through encouraging forgiveness and compassion, stressing that “we must be kind to one another to leave coronavirus in the past.” He also stressed that governments, the private sector, civil society and the UN should all play a role in building the “Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience”, through education and public-awareness-raising activities, noting that access to good information is vital to the COVID-19 response. UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, while commenting on the first edition of the International Day of Conscience, launched following an initiative by HRH the Prime Minister, said that “COVID-19 is not only a challenge for global health systems, but also a test of our human spirit.” “On Sunday's International Day of Conscience, let us focus on our common humanity to save lives, help people in need and build a better future for all,” he also said on his Twitter account. Guterres renewed the UN General Assembly’s call for all member states, UN agencies, regional and international organistions, as well as the private sector and individuals to build a culture of peace with love and conscience, through providing good education and implementing varied public awareness activities to enhance sustainable development.