Dr. Siby K. Joseph
I think it is highly befitting on this occasion to throw light on the observance of the International Day of Peace during today’s august monthly international dialogue of the International Online Fellowship Program on Nonviolence and Peace (IFPNP).
The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Peace in 1981 by adopting a resolution that coincided with its annual opening session on the third Tuesday of September. The day was created to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace within and among all nations and peoples.
The first Peace Day was observed in September 1982, and it continued to be held on the third Tuesday of September every year until 2001. Twenty years after its inception, the General Assembly officially declared that 21 September would be observed annually as a “day of global ceasefire and non-violence.” The UN invited all Member States, organizations, and individuals to commemorate the day through education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the United Nations in establishing a global ceasefire.
The observance of the International Day of Peace begins with the ringing of the United Nations Peace Bell at the UN Headquarters in New York. Cast from coins donated by children from all continents except Africa, the bell was a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan as a reminder of the human cost of war. It bears an inscription that reads: “Long live absolute world peace.”
Since 2009, the UN has observed the International Day of Peace around specific global objectives. In recent years, they have begun announcing these themes well in advance, accompanied by a 100-day countdown to build global awareness.
Reflecting on this year’s theme — “Investing in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day” — UN Secretary-General António Guterres shared a message for the International Day of Peace to be observed on 21 September:
“It’s an active and deliberate choice to invest in a better future: by building inclusive communities where peace can take hold; by investing in sustainable development — in people’s health, education, nutrition, and social protection; by bridging divides and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard; by safeguarding the human rights and dignity that belong to every person; and by strengthening the proven tools of peace — diplomacy, dialogue, negotiation, and peacekeeping. On this International Day of Peace, let us all be inspired by the courage of those who champion peace in neighbourhoods, classrooms, and communities. And let’s call on world leaders to invest in a peaceful future for all people.”
Taking note of the significance of this month, the IFPNP is traditionally announced in September. As the program enters its fifth year, the decision was made to introduce a monthly international dialogue centered entirely around the themes of nonviolence and peace throughout the year. The inaugural session, held in August, centered around the threat that nuclear weapons pose to humanity.
Today, this monthly dialogue is specially devoted to the celebration of the upcoming International Day of Peace. It addresses the moot question of whether we can celebrate peace in a world increasingly driven by the forces of war and violence. Peace has become an imperative for everyone, everywhere, every day.
Following the announcement of the 5th IFPNP, I am glad to share that the call for our program has highlighted a global urge for peace and nonviolence, successfully attracting participants from 17 different countries: Canada, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
I am certain that the deliberations on the theme of the International Day of Peace by Dr. Christian Bartolf, President of the Gandhi Information Centre in Berlin, Germany, will provide deep insights into the significance of this day and the urgent need to focus on peace and nonviolence in our troubled world. I am sure these deliberations will echo in the peace-building efforts of the participants, alumni, and friends joining us in this dialogue from their respective countries.
(Note: Introductory Remarks by Dr. Siby K. Joseph, Director of the International Online Fellowship Program on Nonviolence and Peace, delivered on September 19 in celebration of the International Day of Peace.)
