The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Conscience is annually observed across the world on 5th April to commemorate the importance of the human conscience. The day also promotes the culture of peace with love and conscience in accordance with the culture and other appropriate circumstances or customs of their local, national and regional communities.
5th April 2023 marks the observance of the 4th International Day of Conscience.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) during its 73rd session on 25th July 2019 adopted the resolution A/RES/73/329 and proclaimed the 5th April of every year as the International Day of Conscience.
- The draft resolution titled “Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience” was submitted by the Kingdom of Bahrain with a proposal to mark the 5th of April of every year as the International Day of Conscience.
ii.The first-ever International Day of Conscience was observed on 5th April 2020.
Note: the resolution also recognised the need to create conditions of stability and well-being and peaceful and friendly relations based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.
Significance:
The day mobilises the efforts of the international community in favor of peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity, with a view to building a lasting world of peace, solidarity and harmony.
Origin of Culture of Peace:
i.The concept of a culture of peace originates from the International Congress on Peace in the Minds of Men, organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Côte d’Ivoire in July 1989.
ii.In the UN system, the concept of Culture of Peace dates back to the Constitution of the UNESCO which aims to build peace through international cooperation in education, the sciences and culture.
UN & Culture of Peace:
i.The UNESCO and UN Alliance of Civilizations plays a major role in fostering the intercultural dialogue.
ii.They organise activities related to the culture of peace and non-violence and promote a culture of peace through a number of practical projects in the areas of youth, education, media and migration
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO):
Director-General– Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters– Paris, France
Established in 1945
