will learning opportunities make a safe world?

One week ago - on Friday 13th November 2015 - Europeans faced the vulnerability of our open societies as 130 people, who were out to have a happy night in Paris were shot dead by a few men, who wanted to expose the power of their believes through guns. Terror attacts happen every day, but rarely in the European capitals that we want to regard as safe places for everyday living.

In the aftermath we have police forces looking like army troopers in the streets of European cities. A few days after the Paris attac, I hosted a meeting for international professionals living in Copenhagen. Shaken and touched by the recent events in another capital not far away, I was happy to be met by heavily armed police at the City Hall where the event was held: They made me feel safe - and calmed my nerves to focus on the knowledge sharing and learning aspects of the event that I was hosting.

We were 20 nationalities gathered to talk about how you need news in English when you move to and live in Denmark as a foreigner: The means to learn about the country and understand the culture you are now a part of.

The 4th Sustainable Development Goal of the UN reaches out to: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. One of the goals to reach by 2030 is:

"4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development."

What a dream to come true if all children and adults in 15 years live by this mindset and knowledge - so we do not need security forces around us to enable safe learningfacilities! I sure hope that we reach that goal together - by not being afraid! And by fighting for bringing education to every boy, girl and adult who is curious to learn about ways to make this world a safe and happy place.