Every year on September 21, the world celebrates the International Day of
Peace. The United Nations General Assembly designated this day as a day to
promote the values of peace by observing 24 hours of non-violence and
ceasefire.
But true peace requires much more than laying down arms. It requires
creating societies in which all members believe they can thrive. It means
building a world where everyone is treated equally, regardless of race.
As Secretary-General António Guterres has said:
“Racism continues to poison
institutions, social structures, and everyday life in every society. It
continues to be a driver of persistent inequality. And it continues to deny
people their fundamental human rights. It destabilizes societies, undermines
democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and… the linkages between
racism and gender inequality are unmistakable.”
As wars
break out around the world, forcing people to flee, we have seen racial
prejudice at the borders. We've seen certain racial groups hit much harder than
others as COVID-19 continues to attack our neighborhoods. As economies weaken,
expressions of hatred and violence against racial minorities increase.
We are all responsible for promoting peace. And fighting racism is a vital
way to help.
We can try to destroy the structures that perpetuate racism among us. We
can help equality and human rights movements around the world. We have the
ability to speak out against hate speech both offline and online. Anti-racism
can be promoted through education and corrective justice.
The theme of the International Day of Peace for 2022 is “End Racism. Build
Peace”. We should all join the efforts of the United Nations to create a world
without racism and racial discrimination. A world where compassion and empathy
triumph over mistrust and hatred. A world we can be truly proud of.
History of the International Day of Peace
The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of
Peace in 1981. In 2001, the General Assembly unanimously decided to declare the
day a period of non-violence and truce.
Events of 2022
On September 16, 2022, the United Nations headquarters observed the
International Day of Peace. The event began at 9:00 a.m. EDT with the
traditional Peace Bell ceremony in the Peace Garden. The Secretary General and
the President of the General Assembly rang the Peace Bell during the event.
Then, at 9:30 a.m. EDT, a youth meeting was held in the Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) Chamber, where more than 500 students met with the
Secretary-General and prominent artists and activists. Young people presented
initiatives that demonstrated their efforts to prevent racism and thereby
promote peace.
