Barefoot Walk for UN Reforms: Count Down 24th October 2015.

We are in a time of unprecedented terrorism in the world, with more people displaced by unspeakable violence than at any time since World War II, a staggering 51.2 million people - according to Refugee experts 1.

The cycle of hate between Israel and Palestine has resulted to more deaths, more misery and a spike in anti-Semitism that’s prompting many Jews to exit Europe 2.

At stake are not only the lives of millions of people and the future of the Middle East, but also the credibility of the international system 3.

Today Christian communities are being ravaged and decimated in many parts of the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Muslims are killed every day by their brothers, with millions of the world’s poorest communities affected the most 4.

If these events teach us anything, it is that the world’s highest security institution - the United Nations Security Council has failed to build a world where all can live in security and dignity, proud of who they are and wherever they are.

Violent extremism is a public health problem which is not different from the harm of cancer, tuberculosis, malaria, or HIV & AIDS. If millions of people are dying of violent extremism, then the international community has a moral responsibility to invest in prevention.

The responsibility to protect people at risk is not only one for governments, but for all who care and desire a better and just world for all humanity.

In solidarity with the world’s 51 million refugees, this blog is dedicating celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the United Nations on October 24, 2015 to the memories of millions of innocent men; women and children killed by violent extremism the world over, while the United Nations Security Council stood by helplessly unable to act, and did little to bring such atrocities to an end 5, 6 .

When voices join together they get heard, this blog is an embodiment of that spirit.

This is our chance to lend our voices to those that have done so before us.

Together, let us build a United Nations that is capable of protecting with impartiality the interest of every global citizen irrespective of their colour, nationality, ethnicity, linguistic heritage, sex, gender, religion or age.