“Peace is one
of humanity’s most precious needs. It is also the
United Nations highest calling. It defines our mission.
It drives our discourse. And it draws together all of
our world-wide work, from peacekeeping and preventive
diplomacy to promoting human rights and development. On
this International Day, let us promise to make peace not
just a priority, but a passion."
UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon
Video Message for the
International Day of Peace
Click here
to view the entire video message
|
Peace is a common desire of people throughout the world. The establishment of the United Nations in 1945, at the end of the most devastating war in human history, was an embodiment of this universal desire. Keeping peace and developing friendly relations among nations are among the main objectives of the Organization. To commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples of the world, the UN General Assembly in 1981 officially proclaimed an International Day of Peace, and at its fifty-fifth session decided to observe it on 21 September each year as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence.
The General Assembly also invites all Member States, agencies, funds, organs and programmes of the UN system, including non governmental organizations (NGOs), to honour the International Day in creative ways. Each year, it is observed at UN Headquarters with a special ceremony by the Peace Bell, cast from coins donated by people from some 60 countries, where the Secretary-General delivers a special message before ringing the bell, asking people throughout the world to observe a minute of silence and reflect on the universal goal of peace.
Below are related articles from the UN Chronicle magazine, as well as educational links, which are particularly relevant to collective security, global solidarity and peace in its broadest sense.
- Issue 1, 2007
Unlearning Conflict by Studying Peace: The University for Peace Comes of Age
By Jonas Hagen and Melissa Gorelick
- Issue 3, 2006
Development Helps Peace Keep Take Root in Liberia
By Pureterrah Witcher
- Issue 1, 2006
Women Peacekeepers: Making a Difference
By Jane Lloyd
Beyond Peacekeeping: The Challenge of Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Peacebuilding in Africa
By Crispin Grey-Johnson
- Issue 2, 2005
Winning the Peace: Strengthening Peacebuilding Through Development and Security
By Ivan Nimac
The True Peacebuilders: The Importance of Cooperation to the Prevention of Armed Conflict
By Vandy Kanyako, Jr.
Assessing the Culture of Peace
By Joseph de Rivera
- Issue 4, 2004
Conversation: UN Messengers of Peace Reflect on Their Work
- Issue 3, 2004
Helping Afghanistan With ‘My Voice and My Face’
By Anna Cataldi
- Issue 3, 2003
Trails of Peace in the Balkans
By Evgenii Vassilev
- Issue 2, 2003
Face to Face with Former Child Soldiers—and Hope
Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas Visits Sierra Leone
By Yvonne Acosta
- Issue 4, 2001
Nobel Peace Prize Awarded in Oslo
Web Articles:
| These stories and more can
be found at UN Chronicle Online at www.un.org/chronicle.
The UN Chronicle is not an official record; the views
expressed in individual articles do not necessarily imply
official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
To subscribe to the print edition of
the magazine, contact UN Publications at publications@un.org
or call (800) 253-9646, or go to: www.un.org/Pubs/chronicle/order.htm
for details on a special Internet offer of US$10 per
year.
Please pass this UN Chronicle E-Alert on
to anyone whom you think it might interest. |
LINKS TO RELATED RESOURCES:
|
Print