The Importance of International Peace Day
Proposed by the president of Costa Rica in November of 1981, the International Day of Peace was unanimously passed by the United Nations General Assembly. The International Day of Peace is a day dedicated to the cessation of all hostilities around the world and for people to engage in activities that promote global peace. Originally, the International Peace Day was set to coincide with the opening of the UN General Assembly on the third Thursday of September. The first observance was in September, 1982. However, in 2004, the General Assembly again voted unanimously to set the permanent date for September 21st. It is on this day that the global population is asked to commit to a peace world and participate in activities devoted to that goal.
The International Day of Peace is marked at noon. The Secretary General of the United Nations rings the Peace Bell with members of the General Council in attendance. The bell is made from the coins donated from children around the world and is a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan in remembrance of the horrible toll of war. It is inscribed with the words, “Long live absolute world peace”. A moment of silence begins at noon and signals the hope for world peace. The symbol adopted for International Peace Day is a dove with an olive branch in its mouth and an overlay of the continents.
Millions of people around the world participate in celebrations of Peace Day by helping others, holding prayer vigils, parades and many other activities. School children may make and display windmills with peace messages, displaying their school’s Peace Pole and reciting poetry or stories of peace. Community members may engage in interfaith or cross cultural discussions or peace education. Others may meditate on peace. There is no one way to celebrate International Peace Day as long as it furthers the goals of world peace.
Each International Peace Day has a theme to frame activities. The theme for 2016 is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace”. Member states of the United Nations have agreed to seventeen ambitious goals to be accomplished by 2030. The goals include eliminating global poverty, sharing dwindling resources, world hunger, environmental issues and others critical to ensure all people have the means to live without want and conflict. Eliminating poverty and strengthening educational opportunities is seen as the most crucial elements to reduce conflict.
International Peace Day has prompted millions over the years to reflect on the meaning of peace and how conflict affects the world’s people. It is a day to look beyond borders, religion, and race to connect with each other for a common goal.
Peace Action
- Peace Action Condemns Saudi/UAE Famine-Inducing Attack on Yemen June 13, 2018Washington, D.C.—June 13, 2018—In response to the unnecessary military attack by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Yemen’s critical port city, Hodeida, Paul Kawika Martin, Peace Action’s Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs, released the following statement: “Once again, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates show their disregard for the […]
- Korea Peace Network Leaders Cheer Success at Singapore Summit June 12, 2018Washington, D.C. — June 12, 2018 — On the news of a successful first meeting between sitting leaders of the U.S. and North Korea at the summit in Singapore, with a statement in which the countries agreed to complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and security guarantees for North Korea, leaders of the Korea Peace […]
- The Libya Model: It’s Not Always All About Trump May 25, 2018This article was syndicated by Peace Voice, and originally published on Counterpunch. John Bolton and Mike Pence must have known what they were doing. President Trump’s national security adviser and Vice President could not have been oblivious that advocating a “Libya model” for North Korea’s denuclearization would go over badly with North Korean leader Kim […]
- Trump’s Ego Deals a Blow to Korean Peace Process May 24, 2018Washington, D.C. — May 24, 2018 — President Trump cancelled the planned June 12 summit meeting with Kim Jong-un today in a letter to the North Korean leader. Kevin Martin, President of Peace Action, slammed the president and his administration for undermining the critical peace process. “I can only channel the immortal Casey Stengel, manager […]
- Senator Merkley Asserts His Constitutional Responsibility to Declare War May 23, 2018Washington, D.C. — May 23, 2018 — Ahead of newly confirmed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testifying Thursday at 10 AM Eastern in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), a member of the committee, introduced an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against several violent extremist groups. In response, […]
- Senate Takes Small Step to End Horrific Yemen War May 22, 2018Washington, D.C. — May 22, 2018 — In response to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passing the Young-Shaheen bill regarding the war in Yemen, Paul Kawika Martin, Peace Action’s Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs, released the following statement: “While it’s encouraging to see Congress finally starting to take action on the world’s worst […]
- Senate Confirms Torturer to Lead C.I.A., Completes Trump’s War Cabinet May 17, 2018Washington, D.C. — May 17, 2018 — In response to the Senate voting to confirm Gina Haspel as C.I.A. Director, Paul Kawika Martin, Peace Action’s Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs, released the following statement: “The confirmation of Gina Haspel marks the completion of President Trump’s new war cabinet. We now have a Bush-era […]