International Day of Peace
September 21st 2011 marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace.
As we begin to countdown to the observance, we pay tribute to the many civil society activists who lent the strength of their imagination to the institution of this Day.
The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1981 that the Day shall be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
It invited all Member States, the United Nations system, regional organizations, non-governmental organisations, peoples and individuals to commemorate the Day in different ways - especially through all means of education, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the observance of that day.
Education - and the fruits of education - have been central to this observance.
Young women and men everywhere are demonstrating the power of connection by reaching out to each other and rallying together in the common cause of the dignity and human rights to which their peoples aspire.
It is in tribute to them and the spirit they represent, that this year, under the overall idea of Peace and Democracy, the theme of the day is "Make Your Voice Heard".
The United Nations stands ready to work with the peoples in whose name the International Day of Peace was established to secure a world ready for, and worthy of, the peace.
The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date.
It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982.
In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21st as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.
By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal. During the discussion of the U.N. Resolution that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that:
Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and people. This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace.
Since its inception, Peace Day has marked our personal and planetary progress toward peace. It has grown to include millions of people in all parts of the world, and each year events are organized to commemorate and celebrate this day. Events range in scale from private gatherings to public concerts and forums where hundreds of thousands of people participate.
Anyone, anywhere can celebrate Peace Day. It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, or just sitting in silent meditation. Or it can involve getting your co-workers, organization, community or government engaged in a large event. The impact if millions of people in all parts of the world, coming together for one day of peace, is immense.
International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire - personal or political.
Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time.
Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.
www.internationaldayofpeace.org