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
- Another Tax Day, Another Win for the Arms Industry April 17, 2018Washington, D.C. — April 17, 2018 — On Tax Day, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: “As people across the nation pay taxes and tighten their belts accordingly, it bares remembering that an astronomical amount of our tax dollars, roughly $1 trillion, are spent […]
- Peace Action Condemns Illegal Syria Strikes, Calls on Congress to Reclaim War Powers April 14, 2018Washington, D.C. — April 13, 2018 — In response to U.S. military strikes against Syrian government sites, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement: “President Trump’s decision to strike Syrian forces was impulsive, dangerous and a clear violation of domestic and international law. This attack endangers U.S. forces in the region, […]
- Striking Syria Is Dangerous and Illegal April 9, 2018Washington, D.C. — April 9, 2018 — In response to President Trump’s threat of military strikes against Syrian government forces, Kevin Martin, President of Peace Action, released the following statement: “President Trump’s threat to attack Syrian forces in response to a chemical weapons attack is a reckless, knee jerk reaction to a complex and dangerous […]
- Peace Action Calls for Independent Investigation into Deaths in Gaza Protest, Asks U.S. Politicians to Stand Up for Human Rights April 3, 2018The right to demonstrate for change in government policy without fear of a violent retaliation is a cornerstone of international human rights. Eighteen Palestinians lost their lives in the recent protests in Gaza and more than 1,400 were injured. Independent reports indicate that the violence by the Israeli Defense Forces was egregiously disproportionate. A Human […]
- John Bolton: A Drum Major for Regime Change Gains Inside Influence March 24, 2018This article was originally published on CommonDreams.org. Candidate Trump appeared on “Meet the Press” in the summer of 2015 just weeks after announcing his run for president. When Chuck Todd asked him to name his top national security advisers, the first name that rolled off his tongue was John Bolton’s. Trump praised Bolton as “a tough cookie, […]
- John Bolton’s Appointment is a National Security Nightmare March 22, 2018Washington, D.C. — March 22, 2018 — In response to President Trump’s announcement that John Bolton will take over as national security advisor effective April 9, 2018, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement: “You would be hard pressed to find anyone who’s ever held public office in the U.S. who […]
- Senate Sends Message to Trump, Pentagon and Saudi Arabia — End Unauthorized War in Yemen March 20, 2018Washington, D.C. — March 20, 2018 — In response to the historic Senate vote today on the bipartisan Sanders-Lee-Murphy bill (S.J.Res. 54) to end unauthorized U.S. military support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which sent a clear message to the White House and the Pentagon with a strong vote of 44-55, Paul Kawika […]