What is Peace Day? blue_medium_5.gif (1737 bytes)

 

At United Nations Headquarters, the Day of Peace is marked each year with a special ceremony near the Peace Bell. Its observance coincides with the opening of the regular session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This day was proclaimed as the International Day of Peace by the General Assembly in 1981*. Each year, at 10:00 am local time (14:00 GMT), the United Nations Secretary-General delivers a special message before ringing the bells and calls upon the people throughout the world to reflect for a moment on the universal goals of peace. Following the moment of silence, the President of the Security Council makes a statement on behalf of the members of the Council.

The most common way of commemorating the Day is observing a moment of silence. In many countries, local civic groups and schools hold special events and ceremonies to mark the Day. Town hall meetings and peace marches are also common.

betworld.gif (10266 bytes) The true significance of the Day lies in the participation of people around the world gathering together to think about the meaning of peace and their commitment to its realization.

* In 1981, the General Assembly declared that the opening day of its regular session in September "shall be officially dedicated and observed as the International Day of Peace and shall be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples" (resolution 36/67). On 4 June 1998, the Assembly reaffirmed that the Day should continue to be observed on the opening day of its annual regular session (resolution 52/232).