The International Day of Peace is a day to celebrate and promote peace as a common aspiration and a shared responsibility for all humanity.
Peace is one of the most precious values that humans aspire for. Peace means harmony, cooperation, and respect among people and nations. Peace also means freedom from violence, war, and conflicts that cause suffering and destruction. However, peace is not always easy to achieve or maintain. It requires constant efforts, dialogue, and compromise from all parties involved.
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that was founded in 1945 after the Second World War, with the main purpose of maintaining international peace and security. The UN has played a vital role in resolving many conflicts around the world, as well as promoting human rights, development, and cooperation. The UN also recognizes the importance of celebrating and promoting peace as a universal value and a common goal for all humanity.
That is why the UN established the International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, in 1981. The International Day of Peace is observed annually on 21 September. It is a day dedicated to world peace, and specifically to the absence of war and violence. The UN General Assembly has declared this day as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, and has invited all countries and people to observe it.
Significance of the International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace has a great significance for the world, as it reminds us of the need to work together for a more peaceful and just society. The International Day of Peace also provides an opportunity for individuals and organizations to take action for peace in various ways, such as:
- Organizing or participating in events, activities, and campaigns that promote peace education, culture, and dialogue.
- Raising awareness and mobilizing public opinion on the causes and consequences of violence and conflict, and the ways to prevent and resolve them.
- Supporting the efforts of the UN and other actors to mediate and facilitate peace processes and agreements.
- Advocating for the respect of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, as well as for the protection of civilians, especially women and children, in conflict zones.
- Expressing solidarity and compassion with the victims and survivors of violence and conflict, and providing humanitarian assistance and relief to them.
- Celebrating the achievements and contributions of peacebuilders, peacemakers, and peacekeepers around the world.
- Praying and meditating for peace, individually or collectively.
Examples of the International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace has been celebrated in many different ways around the world since its inception. Some examples are:
- In 1984, the UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar inaugurated the first Peace Bell at the UN Headquarters in New York. The bell is made from coins donated by children from all continents except Africa, and bears the inscription “Long live absolute world peace”. The bell is rung every year on 21 September to mark the International Day of Peace.
- In 1996, a proposal was made by Vincent Coyle from Northern Ireland to expand the International Day of Peace to include reconciliation. He suggested distributing white doves as symbols of peace after a formal presentation at the UN. The idea was debated at Seanad Éireann (the upper house of the Irish parliament) but was not implemented.
- In 2001, a new resolution was passed by the UN General Assembly to give the International Day of Peace a fixed date (21 September) and declare it also as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. The resolution was sponsored by the United Kingdom (giving credit to Peace One Day, a non-governmental organization founded by Jeremy Gilley) and Costa Rica (the original sponsors of the day).
- In 2007, Ban Ki-moon became the first UN Secretary-General to observe the International Day of Peace in Afghanistan. He visited Kabul and met with President Hamid Karzai, as well as with representatives of civil society and women’s groups. He also laid a wreath at a memorial for UN staff members killed in Afghanistan.
- In 2011, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace, millions of people around the world participated in various events organized by civil society groups under the theme “Make Your Voice Heard”. A live global broadcast was also held from New York, featuring messages from celebrities, musicians, artists, activists, and leaders.
- In 2014, Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate, addressed more than 500 young leaders at the UN Youth Assembly on 21 September. She called for education as a fundamental right for all children, especially girls, who are often denied access to school due to poverty or violence. She also urged young people to stand up for their rights and dreams.
- In 2019, António Guterres, the current UN Secretary-General, visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea on 21 September. He praised the efforts of the two Koreas to reduce tensions and build trust, and expressed his hope for a peaceful and denuclearized Korean Peninsula. He also met with the UN Command and the UN Military Armistice Commission, which monitor the ceasefire agreement that ended the Korean War in 1953.
Conclusion
The International Day of Peace is a day to celebrate and promote peace as a common aspiration and a shared responsibility for all humanity. It is also a day to reflect on the challenges and opportunities that we face in building a more peaceful and inclusive world. The International Day of Peace reminds us that peace is not only the absence of war, but also the presence of justice, dignity, and human rights for all. It also reminds us that peace is not a static or passive state, but a dynamic and active process that requires constant dialogue, cooperation, and compromise from all parties involved. The International Day of Peace encourages us to take action for peace in our own lives, in our communities, and in our world. Let us all join hands and hearts on this day, and every day, to create a culture of peace for ourselves and for future generations.
