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
- For This Year’s International Day of Peace, Korea Takes the Lead September 21, 2018(Photo: Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service / Jeon Han) This article was originally published on Common Dreams. Today is the International Day of Peace, an unfortunately lightly observed day, especially in the perpetually-at-war United States. However, Campaign Nonviolence, spurred by the group Pace e Bene, is helping coordinate various peace actions in the U.S. and worldwide. […]
- Peace Action Endorses Katie Hill for Congress September 19, 2018Washington, DC – September 19, 2018 – Peace Action, the nation’s largest grassroots peace organization, endorsed Katie Hill for the House of Representatives in California’s 25th 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 […]
- Peace Action Endorses Rashida Tlaib for Congress September 18, 2018Washington, DC — September 18, 2018 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Rashida Tlaib for Congress in Michigan’s 13th 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 […]
- Peace Action Applauds Introduction of the Hold the LYNE Act to Stop New Nukes September 18, 2018Washington, D.C. — September 18, 2018 — In response to Reps. Adam Smith (D-WA) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) John Garamendi (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) introducing bicameral legislation to prohibit research, development, production and deployment of a “low-yield” nuclear warhead for the Trident D-5 missile, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for […]
- Peace Action Endorses Ilhan Omar for Congress September 18, 2018Washington, DC — September 18, 2018 — 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 […]
- U.S. Support for the Bombing of Yemen to Continue, for Now September 12, 2018This article was originally published on CommonDreams.org, and subsequently published by PeaceVoice, Counterpunch, Antiwar.com, and the Smirking Chimp. In the image above, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with the Saudi foreign minister on April 28, 2018, less than a week after the Saudi-led coalition bombed a wedding in Yemen. On September 12, Secretary of […]
- Escalating the Syrian Civil War Won’t Help Protect Civilians September 11, 2018(Photo: Abdulmonam Eassa / AFP (ARA)) Washington, D.C. — September 11, 2018 — In response to reports that the U.S. is holding talks with the U.K. and France about launching coordinated airstrikes in Syria should the Syrian government use chemical weapons, Jon Rainwater, Executive Director of Peace Action, released the following statement: “When will the […]