I have to admit, I never met any Palestinian before I came here. And all stories about war, about conflicts in Gaza were just stories from the TV news. When I was asked to share my feelings about this I was confused: “what to say”? This tragedy seemed so far away from me, like probably from most of you.

But is it really so far away from our hearts? Is it an excuse that Gaza is so far away that I can not do anything, I can’t change anything? So many times on TV we saw how presidents of countries and organizations meet, talk, shake hands. But nothing changes. Leaders of the world can not make it…The country continues to suffer. And it’s not only about Palestine, about all crimes against humanity in many places of this world. We cannot create peace on papers! It’s about our attitude and actions!

Guys, have you ever thought, have you ever asked yourself this question: “what I could do to make a change? To make this world peaceful?” have you? Or do you just close your eyes and shut your ears thinking that it’s far away from you. But you know, the scariest thing is truth that one day this might happen to my country, to my family, to me!

Anger plays a huge role in current conflicts in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the North-South Korean problem, and so forth. And these conflicts arise from a failure to understand one another’s humanness. That’s why, its time for world leaders and the next generation – us, to learn to accept the differences of race, culture, and ideology and to see one another through eyes that see the common human situation.

Yes, we here are next generation, we are the hope of people who have been bombed in their houses, people who are suffering and starving. So how can I help? How can I, being just a student, here in Malaysia, help to heal the world?

Actually I believe we are doing something already. Here in this global, international Limkokwing University you can see the sunshine of hope for tomorrow. Why? Look around! Look! There are people here from over 130 different countries. Some of the countries are not really friendly with each other but here you can see people holding hands, becoming best friends not bothered about which country they came from, what religion they are.

Studying together, understanding differences and respecting each other is something that we are doing to build a better world where people won’t be killed because of the 10 square kilometers of land, where religion won’t be a reason for children to die, where people will learn from each other to create something wonderful. This is my dream. And I am sharing with you this cause we, each of us are change agents for tomorrow!

We are next generation carrying a responsibility to make the world peaceful! So my wish for all of us – be better person, be better for the people next to you, open you mind to embrace understanding and celebrate differences!

May this wish be
My small contribution to world peace.

Thank you all and let’s celebrate this event!