Around the world, special activities and celebrations take place today to commemorate The International Day of Peace including a global Peace Wave with moments of silence at noon in every time zone.
This Day of Peace was established in 1981 by a United Nations General Assembly resolution and the first Peace Day was observed in September 1982. In 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to adopt 21 September as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire.
Here’s an excerpt from UN Secretary General’s Peace Day message:
“The International Day of Peace is a time for reflection – a day when we reiterate our belief in non-violence and call for a global ceasefire. We ask people everywhere to observe a minute of silence, at noon local time, to honor those killed in conflict and the survivors who live with daily trauma and pain.
This year we are highlighting Education for Peace…On this International Day of Peace, let us pledge to teach our children the value of tolerance and mutual respect. Let us invest in the schools and teachers that will build a fair and inclusive world that embraces diversity. Let us fight for peace and defend it with all our might.”
View Ban Ki Moon’s full Peace Day video message here and read more about the UN’s International Peace Day’s Education for Peace initiative.
And why not share a peace hug today – a simple act of peace?
How fitting that this day is taking place after we spoke about peace in class. I had no idea that this day existed- thank your for making it known and sharing some of the history.