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
- In the ongoing crisis, Congress must rein in Trump’s war powers January 8, 2020As we feared, President Trump’s reckless assassination of Iran’s Gen. Soleimani resulted in escalation — direct Iranian missile attacks on two military bases in Iraq. It’s painful to watch more violence in a country that has already suffered far too much from endless war. All parties in the US/Iran conflict must cease military action and […]
- Take Action – Some actual, SANE legislation November 7, 2019Trump has plans to spend nearly $2 TRILLION over the next 30 years on unneeded and unnecessary nuclear weapons and delivery systems. This makes no sense. This is insane. That’s nearly $100 million wasted every day for thirty years on weapons we are supposed to be getting rid of. To put that amount in perspective, […]
- Take Action to Avoid War with Iran September 25, 2019photo credit Dear Groundswell Readers, We have to keep pushing Congress this week if we want to avoid war with Iran. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said recently that the U.K. might join a U.S.-led military effort in the Gulf. When other nations step up to join the “coalition of the willing” it’s often a bad sign. […]
- Diplomacy Instead of a Disaster in Iran July 18, 2019Washington, D.C. — July 18, 2019 — In response to reports of the U.S. shooting down an Iranian drone, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: “Because of the Trump administration’s policy of maximum provocation towards Iran, America stands on the precipice of another blunderous […]
- Peace Action Endorses ‘the Squad’ — Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pressley and Tlaib for Congress July 11, 2019Washington, D.C. — July 11, 2019 — Peace Action, the nation’s largest grassroots peace organization, has endorsed four progressive champions for the House of Representatives in the 2020 election, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for New York’s 14th district, Rep. Ilhan Omar for Minnesota’s 5th district, Rep. Ayanna Pressley for Massachusetts’ 7th district, and Rep. Rashida Tlaib […]
- Most Senators Oppose War with Iran Without Congressional Approval June 28, 2019Washington, D.C. — June 28, 2019 — In response to the Senate voting 50-40 in favor of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to block funding for military action against Iran without congressional approval, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: “Because […]
- Peace Action Endorses Ilhan Omar for Congress June 25, 2019Washington, DC — June 25, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Ilhan Omar for Congress in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary […]