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 celebratedin September 1982. In 2002, the General Assembly officially declared September 21 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 peoples…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.
15 September 2011 – The United Nations today marked the annual International Day of Peace with tributes to those working to build a better future as well as a call to people everywhere to make their voices heard to strengthen peace and democracy. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day, which falls on 21 September.
The theme for this year is “Peace and Democracy: Make your voice heard!” and today’s observance coincides with the observance of the International Day of Democracy.Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed that democracy is a core value of the UN, noting that it is crucial for human rights, provides channels for resolving differences, and gives hope to the marginalized and power to the people.
“But democracy does not just happen; it has to be nurtured and defended,” he said in a message to mark the Day.“The world needs you to speak out – for social justice and freedom of the press, for a clean environment and women’s empowerment, for the rule of law and the right to a say in one’s own future.”Speaking at UN Headquarters, Mr. Ban said it has been a remarkable year for people seeking a say in shaping their societies and futures. “Men and women across the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere have sought their democratic rights with remarkable fervour and creativity – and with remarkable success,” he stated before ringing the Peace Bell.
“Democracy is among the foundations of peace,” he added.”When people take part in the democratic process, when they become engaged, they build peace, day by day, year by year. On this day, I urge all champions of democracy and peace throughout the world to make your voices heard. The United Nations stands with you.”
The President of the 66th session of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, told the gathering that this year the International Day felt particularly significant.“People around the globe, including our youth, are joining together and calling for peace and justice,” he said. “Historic shifts are taking place across the Arab world in the name of peace, democracy and human rights. These shifts remind us of the pressing need to seek peace peacefully and to use mediation and other tools to broker legitimate, lasting peace.
“We are also reminded that peace is not just the absence of war,” Mr. Al-Nasser added, noting that living peacefully means having food and shelter, health care and education, freedom and dignity. “To help ensure and promote sustainable peace, we must continue to focus on development, improving living standards and protecting human rights.”
Secretary-General Meets UN Messengers of Peace Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (second from right) and his wife Yoo Soon-taek (right) in a group photo with UN Messengers of Peace (from left to right) Elie Wiesel, Jane Goodall, actor Michael Douglas, and Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. 21/Sep/2007. UN Photo/Mark Garten. www.unmultimedia.org/photo/
The Peace Bell, 2011 The power of young people in shaping their societies was highlighted at a student observance of the International Day, featuring the participation of UN Messengers of Peace and Goodwill Ambassadors Michael Douglas, Jane Goodall, Stevie Wonder, Ishmael Beah, Yuna Kim and Monique Coleman, all of whom were also present at the peace bell ceremony. Welcoming the participants, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Kiyo Akasaka emphasized that young people are the future and have an important role to play in making peace a reality.
“Together, you represent history’s largest and most interconnected population of young people ever. Together, you have an opportunity to transform politics, economics, science, technology, and the world. You have enormous power,” he stated.
MONIQUE COLEMAN
Ms. Coleman, the actress and musician who was appointed the first ever UN Youth Champion, says the main thing young people can do to advance peace and democracy in their societies is to “be peaceful” themselves.
Ms. Coleman says further …
“I think it’s incredible when young people stand up and speak out for what they believe in and fight for what’s right,” she said in an interview with the UN News Centre. “I think that we have to transition this fight from taking up arms to using our voices and equipping ourselves with being as knowledgeable and organized and intelligent as we possibly can but also peaceful.”
Speaking last night at an event organized by the UN Academic Impact (UNAI) programme to mark the Day, Mr. Ban noted that students were often on the frontlines of the recent struggles in North Africa and the Middle East, “inspiring the world with their commitment to peaceful protests and solidarity.”
The International Day of Peace was first established by the General Assembly in 1981 as an opportunity for people around the world to promote the resolution of conflict and to observe a cessation of hostilities.
Academy Award-winning actor Michael Douglas, the UN’s longest-serving Messenger of Peace, said he believes that the International Day of Peace is “more relevant than ever,” and that one only has to look at the amount of conflict that is going on around the world to realize that.
“I think more people are aware of it… of Peace Day and, hopefully, more aware of what the United Nations is doing,” he told the News Centre. “It’s a large Organization, sometimes unwieldy, but I’m personally strongly, strongly behind it because there is no organization that comes close to it worldwide.” – Michael Dougleas
Each year the International Day of Peaceis observed around the world on 21 September.
The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. This year – on its 30th anniversary – the Day’s theme is “Peace and Democracy: make your voice heard”.
The Preamble to the United Nations Charter states that the Organization was founded to prevent and resolve international conflicts and help build a culture of peace in the world.
Peace and democracy are inextricably linked. Together, they form a partnership that promotes the well-being of all.
Embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, democracy supports an environment for a host of political rights and civil liberties.
In line with the Day’s theme, something profoundly remarkable is happening in the world. Young women and men everywhere are demonstrating the power of solidarity by reaching out and rallying together for the common goal of dignity and human rights. This powerful force brings with it the potential to create a peaceful and democratic future.
Add your voice!
There are many ways to participate in democratic practices, including taking part in dialogue on constitutional processes, advocating for civil society empowerment, joining the struggle for gender equality and against discrimination, engaging in civic education and promoting voter registration.
The International Day of Peace offers people globally, a shared date to organize events and undertake deeds celebrating the importance of peace and democracy in realistic and useful ways.
International Day of Peace Wednesday, 21st September, 2011
The International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, occurs annually on September 21. It is dedicated to peace, or specifically the absence of war, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone. It is observed by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples. The first year this holiday was celebrated was 1982.
To inaugurate the day, the “Peace Bell” is rung at UN Headquarters. The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents. It was given as a gift by the Diet of Japan, and is referred to as “a reminder of the human cost of war.” The inscription on its side reads: “Long live absolute world peace.”
A Ray of Hope, UNESCO Youth Ambassador for the Culture of Peace, has celebrated and promoted, in a myriad of ways, this so necessary day.
Our theme this year will be a coming together of music from Reet in Estonia playing her own composition “Rays of Hope through the Rain” , the very talented Paula Eduarda singing “Memory” the way only she can, and Kay and Junction 33’s wonderful interpretation of “What’s Up” Through the music of such talented musicians we must realise that only in a world of peace will children be able to achieve of their true potential. This video allows us to celebrate and share with those who also see the value and significance of the world’s International Day of Peace.
Please promote this video in every way you can make it a favourite if you wish. As a little bit of fun, all those who leave a comment, link videos or make it a favourite, will be entered in to free draws for large Nepalese Batiks.
*** Winners will be announced on the Day of Peace. 2010 winner was Stella from Argentina.
Join with Paula Eduarda, Reet and Kay, and all members of A Ray of Hope in making this Peace Day the most successful to date.
A Course In Miracles is a revolutionary curriculum designed to catalyze a paradigm shift in human consciousness through the individual discovery of the Peace of God realized through active listening to the ’Holy Instant’. The path to peace lies within and will be found only through a commitment to listening anew in the quiet of the heart and mind. He wants you to hear His Voice. He gave It to you to be heard. It is the world you see and experience that prevents you from hearing.This course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught.
It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is your natural inheritance.The opposite of love is fear, but what is all-encompassing can have no opposite.
This course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way:
Nothing real can be threatened. The sole purpose of A Course In Miraclesis to bring the peace of enlightenment through the transformation of mind.
Nothing unreal exists.
Herein lies the peace of God.
September 21, is the day declared by the United Nations General Assembly, as the International Day of Peace, a day devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples. Join us in extending your light to all the world.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE, THIS YEAR OF 2011 ???
COMMENT BELOW
About Team Celebration
Team Celebration is a devoted group of women dedicated to sharing information that will better the lives of all women making this space a truly convenient Resource for Women globally. Speak Your Mind: You are invited to leave comments and questions below.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You simply type a KEY WORD into our SEARCH BOX at TOP RIGHT of Homepage and a list of associated topic articles offering truly educational and informative features will be at your fingertips.Copyright 2022 @ A Celebration of Women™ The World Hub for Women Leaders That Care
UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE – September 21, 2011
September 18, 2011 by
