PURPOSE: Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 st September. The United Nations General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and ceasefire. For the observance of the International Day of Peace; We invite you to join the efforts of the United Nations family as we focus on recovering better for a more equitable and peaceful world. Celebrate peace by standing up against acts of hate online and offline, and by spreading compassion, kindness, and hope in the face of the pandemic, and as we recover.
FORUM: “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.” International Day of Peace 2024. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. In that declaration, the United Nations’ most inclusive body recognized that peace “not only is the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.” In a world with rising geopolitical tensions and protracted conflicts, there has never been a better time to remember how the UN General Assembly came together in 1999 to lay out the values needed for a culture of peace. These include: respect for life, human rights and fundamental freedoms; the promotion of non-violence through education, dialogue and cooperation; commitment to peaceful settlement of conflicts; and adherence to freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding at all levels of society and among nations. In follow-up resolutions, the General Assembly recognized further the importance of choosing negotiations over confrontation and of working together and not against each other. The Constitution of the UNESCO starts with the notion that “wars begin in the minds of men so it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”. It is this notion that framed the theme and logo of this year’s observance of the International Day of Peace. The ideas of peace, the culture of peace, need to be cultivated in the minds of children and communities through formal and informal education, across countries and generations. The International Day of Peace has always been a time to lay down weapons and observe ceasefires. But it now must also be a time for people to see each other’s humanity. Our survival as a global community depends on that. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #Peaceday, #sustainingpeace, #InternationalDayofPeace, #21September.
EVENTS: On September 21st will held at United Nations Headquarters, a ceremony to observe the International Day of Peace 2024. Several events are being held throughout the world to observe the Day. Get the List of worldwide events!
On september 13th; The programme will begin with the traditional Peace Bell Ceremony in the Peace Garden at 9:00 a.m. EDT, the U.N. Secretary-General and the General Assembly President will ring the Peace Bell to mark the 43nd Anniversary of the International Day of Peace. Watch the livestream!
PUBLICATION: A snapshot of the global state of peace. The average level of country peacefulness deteriorated by 0.56 per cent. Read the 2024 Global Peace Index, a report provided by the Institute for economics and Peace (IEP).
STATEMENTS: Read the statement of the U.N. Secretary-General Message for the International Day of Peace 2024; September 21th and the Letter from President General Assembly on Concept Note for Culture of Peace.
PODCASTS: We all have a role to play in fostering peace.. Every year on September 21st, the United Nations calls on all people to lay down weapons and reaffirm their commitment to living in harmony with one another. Listen to audio- podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: This International Day of Peace with the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.” is an opportunity to take action to promote a culture of peace. Take a look on the International Day of Peace 2024 Poster and the action toolkit ; Explore the trello board and Get the communications materias!
WHY WE OBSERVE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The United Nations General Assembly in 1981 established the day by the resolution A/RES/36/67 to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Scholars working in the areas of peace and conflict studies have made significant contributions to the policies used by non-governmental organisations, development agencies, international financial institutions, and the UN system, in the specific areas of conflict resolution and citizen diplomacy, development, political, social, and economic reform, peacekeeping, mediation, early warning, prevention, peacebuilding, and statebuilding.
Achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race.
We can work to dismantle the structures that entrench racism in our midst. We can support movements for equality and human rights everywhere. We can speak out against hate speech both offline and online. We can promote anti-racism through education and reparatory justice.
The International Day of Peace is hosted by the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Peacekeeping, the United Nations Peacebuilding, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, the United Nations Mine Action Service, the UNESCO Chair for Peace Studies, the UNHCR – The UN Refugee Agency, the Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Civil Society Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations; Academics, and individuals.