Last week more than 160 children had fun finding the answer to that question during the 2024 Ferienspiel ("Holiday Games") held at the UN Headquarters in Vienna (26-30 August) under the title "Birds of Peace".?

The programme was inspired by the mural , designed by Australian artist Fintan Magee as an interpretation of Global Goal?16. It was?unveiled earlier this summer on one of the tower walls of the Vienna International Centre (VIC).

Just as the white peace dove spreads its painted wings on the VIC's B Tower, real ducks come to bathe in the fountain at the Memorial Plaza?and kestrels find refuge on the rooftop.?

This year¡¯s Ferienspiel employed fun facts about these and other birds to introduce the ideas behind the SDGs to children aged 6-10. For example, the feeding of kestrels in an urban environment served as a cue to discuss how to make cities more sustainable (Goal?11), while the meticulous cleaning habits of ducks highlighted the importance of access to clean water (Goal 6).

¡°Today, I learned that in the UN all countries stand together and decide on many things,¡± said Emily, 7 years old.?

¡°It was very interesting for the children to learn about the SDGs, and it was striking for them to see the various symbols and understand their meaning,¡± added Emily¡¯s mother.

Once their VIC tour guides had introduced the children to the 17 SDGs and how the UN works toward them, the children were able to get creative on their own symbols of peace - colouring peace doves, trying their hand at folding paper peace cranes, and creating peace medals to take home.

¡°Our favourite part of the Ferienspiel was making an origami crane,¡± said Konstantin, 10 years old and his brother Valentin, 8 years old.

Some?children chose to leave their drawings on display at the Visitors Centre, where they will remain until the International Day of Peace (21 September). If you¡¯re at the UN in Vienna, be sure to drop by and see how the children have interpreted the meaning of peace!

  • The is organized annually by the Visitors Service of the UN Information Service in Vienna.

  • More information about VIC guided tours:

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