The United Nations International Day of Peace — September 21

and the Peace Flag Project

 Notes from Ginny Fox, Executive Director

2016-poster-for-un-peace-dayBack in 2004, when I first learned about a UN Peace Day being celebrated all over the world, I decided immediately that I wanted to create an important event in my hometown, Providence, RI, and I’ve been creating events each year since that first discovery. I love having my city and state part of a world-wide celebration of peace. I believe that we are all one, and this day helps us to understand the importance of this solidarity.

I hope you will feel moved and engaged by what we are doing here in Providence and throughout Rhode Island and by what you learn about this day that people all over the planet participate in. I hope you will decide to create your own local events to bring your part of the world to the idea of worldwide peace. Celebrations can be simple or elaborate. You can light a candle, ring a bell, observe a moment of silence, or you can bring people together in a celebration of community, diversity, the arts, social justice, the environment, and so many more ways. If you check out www.internationaldayofpeace.org, you might find an event or celebration that will work in your community.

The information below comes from the official website for the UN International Day of Peace, www.internationaldayofpeace.org. Please check out this site to learn more about the Peace Day, its purpose and its worldwide celebrations.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We’d be happy to help however we can.

In peace, Ginny Fox
 

1-goalsWhat Is the International Day of Peace?

“Peace Day is devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples… “

Since its inception, Peace Day has marked our personal and planetary progress toward peace. It has grown to include millions of people in all parts of the world, and each year events are organized to commemorate and celebrate this day. Events range in scale from private gatherings to public concerts and forums where hundreds of thousands of people participate.

Anyone anywhere can celebrate Peace Day. It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, or just sitting in silent meditation. Or it can involve getting your co-workers, organization, community or government engaged in a large event. The impact of millions of people in all parts of the world, coming together for one day of peace, is immense.

More Background on the Peace Day

The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982.

In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.

By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal. During the discussion of the U.N. Resolution that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that:

“Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace.”

 “Peace is one of humanities most precious needs.

It is also the United Nations’ highest calling.”

                                         – UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon