Internationl Day of Peace
There is a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of nonviolence and ceasefire. That day is on 21 September, and each year is observed as the International Day of Peace by the civil society organisations and all the stakeholders. The United Nations’ General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
This year, it has been clearer than ever that we are not each other’s enemies. Rather, our common enemy is a tireless virus that threatens our health, security, and very way of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown our world into turmoil and forcibly reminded us that what happens in one part of the planet can impact people everywhere. This is a global health crisis unlike any other, one that is spreading human suffering, destabilising the global economy, and upending the lives of billions of people around the globe.
In these difficult times of physical distancing, this International Day of Peace is dedicated to fostering dialogue and collecting ideas. To mark its 75th anniversary, the United Nations has invited millions of people worldwide to join #UN75, the largest and furthest reaching global conversation on building the peaceful and prosperous future that we want. Peace is defined as an incidence of harmony characterised by lack of violence, conflict behaviours and the freedom from fear of violence.
Hence, the 2020 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Shaping Peace Together”. Do join us in celebrating this day by spreading compassion, kindness, and hope in the face of the pandemic. We call upon young people to stand together against attempts to use the virus to promote discrimination or hatred. On this day, the world is invited to unite and share thoughts on how to weather this storm, heal our planet, and change it for the better. Even though we may not be able to stand next to each other, we can still dream together.
We, at World Assembly of Youth (WAY), pledge to promote peace and solidarity especially amongst the youth. Young people are stepping up to the challenge, they are taking action on promoting peace in their homes and communities. We also call upon them to embrace and reflect on the value of peace in their hearts and minds and gently nurture it through the actions so it may blossom as a tradition in our societies.
Every person has the right to live peacefully, and the achievement of peace is a shared responsibly. In respect with that, WAY supports and encourages young people to showcase the projects that promote peace.
Join us so that we can shape #peace together.