International Day of Peace
Encyclopedia
The International Day of Peace, also known as the World Peace Day, occurs annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to peace
, and 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 1981.
To inaugurate the day, the "Peace Bell" is rung at UN Headquarters
(in New York City, United States). The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents apart from Africa. It was given as a gift by the United Nations Association 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."
Individuals can also wear White Peace Doves to commemorate the International Day of Peace, which are badges in the shape of a dove produced by a non-profit in Canada.
declared, in a resolution sponsored by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica
, the third Tuesday of September/the opening day of regular sessions of the General Assembly as the International Day of Peace devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace.
) and Costa Rica
(the sponsors of the original day) to give the Day of Peace a fixed date and declare it as a global ceasefire day.
sponsored a contest to select a set of posters to be used for commemorative stamps issued by the United Nations of America. A poster by 13 year-old Taiwanese
junior high school student Yang Chih-Yuan was announced as one of the winners. However, it was later announced Yang's poster would not be used. Taiwan media reports, Taiwan Lions Club and the government of Taiwan claimed the decision not to use the poster resulted from pressure from China
. The government of Taiwan (Republic of China)
later issued a stamp containing the image. Critics claimed that the rejection of the student's painting on purely political grounds did not reflect the ideals of the International Day of Peace, while the UN issued a statement that "due to an internal misunderstanding and miscommunication, Mr. Yang's proof got publicized in error as one of the six stamps intended to be issued."
called for the worldwide observance of a 24-hour cease-fire and day of nonviolence
to mark the Day.
The United Kingdom held the primary public and official observation of the United Nations International Day of Peace and Non-Violence in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. This was organised by Peace Parade UK. http://www.peaceparadeuk.org"
rang the Peace Bell at United Nations Headquarters
in New York calling for a 24-hour cessation of hostilities on 21 September, and for a minute of silence to be observed around the world.
Global Peace Day events and celebrations will be held on September 21st (as well as the week prior and following 9-21). Each year Peace organizations around the world offer cultural events that include School Activities, Music Concerts, Peace Day Comedy, Prayer Vigils, Peace Doves, live internet streaming video and more.
This year, lead by a group from Austin, Tx called MedMob (www.medmob.org), 150+ cities across the world will also host large and small public displays of meditation in unison to mark the International Day of Peace. Global Peace Day was remembered also with Rock Balancing
happening during September 24 to 25.
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
, and specifically the absence of war, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire
Ceasefire
A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have also been called as part of an informal understanding between opposing forces...
in a combat
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
zone. It is observed by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples. The first year this holiday was celebrated was 1981.
To inaugurate the day, the "Peace Bell" is rung at UN Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
(in New York City, United States). The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents apart from Africa. It was given as a gift by the United Nations Association 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."
Individuals can also wear White Peace Doves to commemorate the International Day of Peace, which are badges in the shape of a dove produced by a non-profit in Canada.
1981
The United Nations General AssemblyUnited Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
declared, in a resolution sponsored by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, the third Tuesday of September/the opening day of regular sessions of the General Assembly as the International Day of Peace devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace.
1982
Tuesday, 21 September 1982, was the first occurrence of the International Day of Peace.2001
In 2001 the opening day of the General Assembly was scheduled for 11 September, and Secretary General Kofi Annan drafted a message recognizing that observance of International Peace Day on 11 September. That year the day was changed from the third Tuesday to specifically the twenty-first day of September, to take effect in 2002. A new resolution was passed by the General Assembly, sponsored by the United Kingdom (giving credit to Peace One DayPeace One Day
Peace One Day was founded by British documentary filmmaker and actor Jeremy Gilley in September 1999. The charity promotes the idea of one day a year free of conflict and war, one day of a global truce regardless of all kinds of conflict. The UN had already declared the third Tuesday of September...
) and Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
(the sponsors of the original day) to give the Day of Peace a fixed date and declare it as a global ceasefire day.
2004
A diplomatic stir occurred in 2004 when Lions Clubs InternationalLions Clubs International
Lions Clubs International is a secular service organization with over 44,500 clubs and more than 1,368,683 members in 191 countries around the world founded by Melvin Jones Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States, the organization aims to meet the needs of communities on a local and...
sponsored a contest to select a set of posters to be used for commemorative stamps issued by the United Nations of America. A poster by 13 year-old Taiwanese
Taiwanese people
Taiwanese people may refer to individuals who either claim or are imputed cultural identity focused on the island of Taiwan and/or Taiwan Area which have been governed by the Republic of China since 1945...
junior high school student Yang Chih-Yuan was announced as one of the winners. However, it was later announced Yang's poster would not be used. Taiwan media reports, Taiwan Lions Club and the government of Taiwan claimed the decision not to use the poster resulted from pressure from China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. The government of Taiwan (Republic of China)
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
later issued a stamp containing the image. Critics claimed that the rejection of the student's painting on purely political grounds did not reflect the ideals of the International Day of Peace, while the UN issued a statement that "due to an internal misunderstanding and miscommunication, Mr. Yang's proof got publicized in error as one of the six stamps intended to be issued."
2005
In 2005, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi AnnanKofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
called for the worldwide observance of a 24-hour cease-fire and day of nonviolence
Nonviolence
Nonviolence has two meanings. It can refer, first, to a general philosophy of abstention from violence because of moral or religious principle It can refer to the behaviour of people using nonviolent action Nonviolence has two (closely related) meanings. (1) It can refer, first, to a general...
to mark the Day.
2006
In 2006, then Secretary-General Kofi Annan rang the Peace Bell for the last time during his term in office. That year the UN asserted the "many ways it works for peace and to encourage individuals, groups and communities around the world to contemplate and communicate thoughts and activities on how to achieve peace.The United Kingdom held the primary public and official observation of the United Nations International Day of Peace and Non-Violence in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. This was organised by Peace Parade UK. http://www.peaceparadeuk.org"
2007
In 2007, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
rang the Peace Bell at United Nations Headquarters
United Nations headquarters
The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in New York City. The complex has served as the official headquarters of the United Nations since its completion in 1952. It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River...
in New York calling for a 24-hour cessation of hostilities on 21 September, and for a minute of silence to be observed around the world.
2011
2011 - on its 30th anniversary - the UN Peace Day’s theme is “Peace and Democracy: make your voice heard”.Global Peace Day events and celebrations will be held on September 21st (as well as the week prior and following 9-21). Each year Peace organizations around the world offer cultural events that include School Activities, Music Concerts, Peace Day Comedy, Prayer Vigils, Peace Doves, live internet streaming video and more.
This year, lead by a group from Austin, Tx called MedMob (www.medmob.org), 150+ cities across the world will also host large and small public displays of meditation in unison to mark the International Day of Peace. Global Peace Day was remembered also with Rock Balancing
Rock balancing
Rock balancing is an art, discipline, or hobby depending upon the intent of the practitioner, in which rocks are balanced on top of one another in various positions.-Modes of rock balancing:...
happening during September 24 to 25.
External links
- United Nations International Day of Peace Main Page
- International Day of Peace website
- International Day of Peace Vigil
- Facebook page for UN International Day of Peace
- Pathways To Peace
- Culture of Peace Initiative (CPI)
- The World Peace Prayer Society
- Peace One Day
- People Building Peace
- PEACE EDUCATION at United Nations Cyberschoolbus
- White Peace Doves
- World ceasefire Day
- Peace Day Campaign
- International Day of Peace Observed at Pilani Rajasthan Shridhar University
- Jeremy Gilley, "One day of peace", TEDGlobal 2011, July 2011