September 21, 2007

International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace is a day set aside to bring attention to the problems of violent conflict in human society. The goal of this observance is to raise awareness of peace building, conflict prevention, and other factors that contribute to peace.

The concept of an International Day of Peace has existed since 1981 but not until 2001 was there a specific day appointed to celebrate peace and to cease fire. The United Nations proclaimed the 21st of September as the International Day of Peace in 2001 through UN resolution 55/282.  This day brings global awareness of the importance of peace. It also offers an opportunity to increase pressure on policy makers, governments and international organizations around the world to actively work for peace.

Peace and the message of peace is a complex matter and cannot be ensured by one entity on its own. The message is stronger if we work together with others in the U.S. and across the world to turn the International Day of Peace into a bigger strategy for awareness raising.

Visit www.peoplebuildingpeace.org. Stories of events taking place during the International Day of Peace will be collected on this web site.