The International Day of Peace (IDP), observed annually on September 21, was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations as a “day of global ceasefire and non-violence" for "commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and people”.
Under the slogan "WMD - We Must Disarm" this year's campaign is focusing on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's drive to persuade world leaders to work harder for a world free of nuclear weapons, making it safer for you, your children and grandchildren.
On 12 June, 2009, on the eve of the 100-day Countdown to the 2009 IDP the Trustees of the United Religions Initiative, gathered from 23 countries and representing 26 religions for their annual face-to-face meeting in Menlo Park, California, USA, unanimously re-affirmed their proclamation of support for the International Day of Peace.
OBSERVE THE IDP
We encourage all URI Cooperation Circle (CC) member groups to participate in the International Day of Peace. We hope everyone will observe the Minute of Silence at 12 noon (especially in schools, and at your Peace Pole if you have one nearby), adding your prayers, meditation or ceremony for peace. You might like to plan a special event as well, such as an interfaith meeting or a peace concert.
SUPPORT THE CEASEFIRE
A global ceasefire is not just negotiated by governments: it is built by each person when nonviolence is chosen to solve a confrontation. Use IDP to encourage activities promoting nonviolence in your region in support of the ceasefire, including campaigns against crime, domestic violence, etc. Perhaps your mayor or other official will also want to issue a proclamation or make a speech.
Here are some ways to begin
- Read the Secretary-General's statement
- Sign the We Must Disarm Declaration on the UN Foundation website
- Watch the Peace One Day Video
- Start Tweeting! Go to Twitter, Facebook or MySpace and tell everyone you know to join the campaign! All the information you need is below in the official outreach to the UN NGO community.
We are also seeing major initiatives in the NGO community. Please note that Mayor Akiba of Hiroshima has endorsed the 100-Day Countdown to the IDP on the Mayors for Peace website.
This year, let us galvanize the peace community, people of faith and every sane person on the planet to make the International Day of Peace the tipping point for humankind to finally say 'no!' to nuclear weapons and 'yes!' to peace in one united voice!
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH!
