On February 14, people exchange cards, candies, gifts, and flowers with their special “valentine.” But this year, let’s make the holiday about more than gifts; let’s use it to celebrate our common humanity.
In 2015, world leaders gathered at the United Nations to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals and commit to a world where no one is left behind. The global goals provide a common to-do list to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future for all people and our planet. These goals are vested in the idea that everyone deserves a life of dignity and opportunity – and we can work together to make that idea a reality. And when we accomplish this goal, the world will be a more peaceful place for all of us.
So this Valentine’s Day, let’s recognize that we all share the same home, and let’s commit to taking care of each other.
Here are seven inspiring quotes to remind us to extend love and compassion not only to our valentine, but to people around the world.
– “People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela
– “I truly believe the only way we can create global peace is through not only educating our minds, but our hearts and our souls.” – Malala Yousafzai
– “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
– “When we see others as the enemy, we risk becoming what we hate. When we oppress others, we end up oppressing ourselves. All of our humanity is dependent upon recognizing the humanity in others.” – Desmond Tutu
– “I see a world of neighbors, not a world of foreigners.” – Ted Turner
– “We can hope that men will understand that the interest of all are the same, that hope lies in cooperation. We can then perhaps keep peace.” – Alva Myrdal
– “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
* Authored by Analise McNicholl, UN Foundation Public Affairs Intern