United Nations International Day of Peace recognizes the efforts of those people who have worked hard to end the conflicts and promote peace. It is also a day of ceasefire, personal or political. This day focuses on building peaceful and sustainable world.
The United Nations Member States adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 because they understood that it would not be possible to build a peaceful world if steps were not taken to achieve economic and social development for all people everywhere, and ensure that their rights were protected.
A UN resolution established the International Day of Peace in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the UN General Assembly.
The first Peace Day was celebrated in 1982 and was held on the third Tuesday of September each year until 2002, when September 21 became the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.
In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted to call for “non-violence and cease-fire” on world peace day. The assembly decided in 2001 that the International Day of Peace should be annually observed on September 21 starting from 2002. The assembly declared that the day should be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. Since the establishment of the United Nations and the creation of the Charter of the United Nations, governments are obligated not to use force against others unless they are acting in self-defense or have been authorized by the UN Security Council to proceed.
In 2015, the United Nations member States adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals because it was understood that to obtain worldwide peace it is necessary to focus on the economic and social development for all people everywhere and to ensure that their rights were protected. Various issues are covered in the Sustainable Development Goals including poverty, health, education, climate change, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, environment and social justice. In fact the Sustainable Development Goal 13 focuses on Climate Action, need for immediate call to all to lower greenhouse gas emissions, to build resilience and improve education on climate change. There is need to encourage people about the use of renewable energy, clean technologies etc.
The 2020 Peace Day Theme, ‘shaping Peace Together’, celebrates the International Day of Peace by spreading compassion, kindness and hope in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The world body encourages people to celebrate the day by spreading compassion, kindness and hope in the face of the (COVID-19) pandemic. The pandemic has emerged as a common enemy of the world today.
Being the country of Mahatma Gandhi, India has a huge legacy of contributing to world peace. In a world troubled with conflict, a day dedicated to peace reminds us of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of Ahimsa or non-violence. International Day of Peace is observed every year on September 21.
The peace dove flying with an olive branch in its beak is one of the most commonly featured symbols for the day. In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam a white dove is generally a sign for peace. The dove can also represent “hope for peace” or a peace offering from one person to another, hence the phrase “to extend an olive branch”. Often, the dove is represented as still in flight to remind people of its role as messenger.
Nations and communities around the world struggle with poverty and disease, education, and healthcare. The International Day of Peace reminds us that regardless of where we come from or what languages we speak, we are more alike than we are different. At the core of peaceful relations is the belief that all humans are valuable – no one group being better than another; see how you can contribute to this understanding in your sphere of influence.
Iceland was ranked the most peaceful country in the world in 2008, according to the Global Peace Index, and they hold that title still today. We celebrate to recognize the efforts of those who have and are continuing to work hard to end conflict and promote peace.
