International Peace Day

The United Nations International Peace Day (also known as World Peace Day) is celebrated every year on 21st September. It is a day dedicated to strengthening the ideals of global peace and recognizing the efforts of those striving to uphold and promote it. It is also celebrated as a day of non-violence and ceasefire both on political and personal premises. ‘A dove carrying an olive branch on its beak’ is the world’s most apparent symbol of peace and therefore, it was taken as the emblem of World Peace Day. It represents ‘Hope for peace’.

History: The Day was inaugurated for the first time in 1981 by United Nations Resolution 36/37, the General Assembly declared International Peace Day as a day dedicated to celebrating peace among people, communities, and nations. Initially, the date was chosen to be the 3rd Tuesday of every September but it was later on changed to 21st September on 2001. The day generally commences with the ringing of the Peace Bell in the United Nations Headquarters located in New York. The bell was cast from coins donated by the representatives of the United Nations member states, popes, and children from all over the world. It was presented to the United Nations by the United Nations Association of Japan to epitomize “A reminder of the human cost of war”. There is an epigraph on the bell that reads ‘Long live absolute world peace.

Themes: The themes of World Peace Day every year reflect upon the ongoing global events of that specific year, like in the year 2008 the theme was ‘Human Rights and Peace-keeping’. In the year 2009, when North Korea conducted its second underground nuclear test, the theme was ‘Disarmament and Non- Proliferation. The theme of last year i.e 2020 was ‘Shaping Peace Together’. With the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, the day was taken up as a way of spreading positivity, kindness, hope, and solicitude. The United Nations called upon humanity to stand against bigotry and antagonism. They also came up with activities to promote peacebuilding. The major focus of the previous year was primarily curbing and impeding the virus from threatening our life, prosperity, and every way of living.

Significance: The United Nations believes that with the ongoing social and economic development throughout the world, global peace and prosperity can be achieved. Through this day the United Nations tries to commemorate the absence of war and violence. The day symbolizes freedom from fear of violence and hostility. It marks the extension of friendship and welfare in society. Throughout the years the definition of peace has quite varied. The term ‘Peace’ is now not restricted to only ‘Tranquility among human beings but also with nature. In various instances, the UN also requested the people to prevent activities that hamper the environment and also to indulge in undertakings that will help in tackling climate change, pollution, global warming, and other such issues. The theme of International Peace Day, 2019 was ‘Climate Action for Peace’. It focussed upon ensuring worldwide peace by starting a fight against the major issue of climate change. Over the years, the issues taken up by International Peace Day have encouraged favourable behaviours from the society that have resulted in greater gains of economic, social, and mental harmony among the people and nations.

Observation: People from all over the world observe International Peace Day through various schemes and forums. Schools, colleges, and other educational institutions also acknowledge the day through various creative pursuits. The activities normally observed on this day include-
Peace march, prayer service for peace, concerts to promote peace, planting trees, making posters, placards, and flags depicting peace, writing peace poetry and essays, and holding games and sports in the spirit of peace.
The day is observed both among large communities and closed groups. Teachers too play an important role on this day by helping students understand the intricate concept of peace and also teaching them ways to maintain and promote it. On this day, people from all over the world irrespective of caste, creed, and gender are invited to participate in a ‘Peace Wave’, which is a minute of silence at noon (all time zones) which results in a wave of peace around the world.
Though the United Nations try to spread the word of peace through various plans and forums on this day as well as throughout the year, there have been various violations to peace over time. Irrespective of the UN schemes to uphold peace in the world, the challenges to global harmony seem to arise through the cracks. In recent years, there has been widespread unrest in over 25 countries, through militarized attacks and civil wars. According to reports, about 79.5 million people were forced to leave their homes and live as refugees due to armed conflicts. Recently the struggles between Israelis and Palestinians have led to large-scale death and destruction. In the present time, the Covid-19 pandemic has put forth another challenge in the face of global peace as there will be numerous problems in accessing resources, education, and various other essentials.

The Oxford Dictionary defines peace as ‘Freedom from anxiety disturbance and other conflicts’. Throughout history, many people have stood up for non-violence and peace. Individuals like Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Desmond Tutu, Betty Williams, and others have done exceptional work towards peace-keeping and were awarded Noble Peace Prize. They have worked hard in holding and promoting solicitude and also inspired many through their various pursuits. In recent times people have started understanding the intricate meaning of peace which has encouraged them in joining hands with each other towards a greater goal of global harmony by harbouring within themselves calmness and serenity, which would, in turn, be handed down to future generations to create a peaceful and better tomorrow.

By Harsha Borah