reminder to stand up against acts of hate

The International Day of Peace is celebrated annually on September 21. It was established in 1981 by a unanimous resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. According to its website, the International Day of Peace is a “shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.” In 2001, the General Assembly voted to have this day designated as 24-hours of nonviolence and ceasefire throughout the world. It is important for children to learn about peace initiatives, as I wrote in a previous blog titled Teaching Our Children About Peace.

The theme this year is “Recovering Better for a Sustainable and Equitable World”. The website sets forth why this theme was selected:

The pandemic has been accompanied by a surge in stigma, discrimination, and hatred, which only cost more lives instead of saving them: the virus attacks all without caring about where we are from or what we believe in. Confronting this common enemy of humankind, we must be reminded that we are not each other’s enemy. To be able to recover from the devastation of the pandemic, we must make peace with one another.

And we must make peace with nature. Despite the travel restrictions and economic shutdowns, climate change is not on pause. What we need is a green and sustainable global economy that produces jobs, reduces emissions, and builds resilience to climate impacts.

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.

There are many suggested activities for children and youth, and I have provided links below. Please take this opportunity to discuss with your children about the importance of peace initiatives and have them learn what is being done locally and internationally to promote peace.

For more information, please visit:

https://internationaldayofpeace.org/

https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace

https://internationaldayofpeace.org/get-involved/

International Day of Peace Focuses on All of Us Shaping Peace Together

In 1981, the United Nations declared September 21 each year as the international day of peace “devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.” The challenge this year has not been hostile conflicts but fighting the “common enemy” of the Covid-19 pandemic. “While the message is intended for armed parties, solidarity and cooperation across borders, sectors and generations are also needed to win this new fight against the worst public health crisis of our time.”

Why have days dedicated to international ideals? According to the UN’s website, these days are “occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.”

Peace is a very important initiative for children to learn from an early age. Visit the UN’s website for more information on this and other international days. https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace