The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Peace (IDP) or Peace Day is annually observed across the globe on 21 September to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
- The 2024 theme of IDP is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.”
- 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.
Significance:
i.IDP is dedicated to protecting and strengthening the principles of peace, highlighted by 24 hours of non-aggression and ceasefire, fostering humanity’s survival through mutual understanding.
ii.The day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.
iii.The day was designated as a time of non-violence and cease-fire, advocating for a cessation of hostilities while promoting dialogue, conflict resolution, and peace education.
The Symbol for World Peace:
The World Peace and the IDP are represented with a dove and a noble olive branch symbols.
- The dove represents peace and freedom, while the olive branch has been a symbol of peace since ancient times.
Background:
i.In 1981, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/36/67, declaring the 3rd Tuesday of September, coinciding with the opening day of the regular sessions of the UNGA as the International Day of Peace.
ii.The first IDP was observed on 21 September 1982 (3rd Tuesday of September 1982).
iii.In 2001, the UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/55/282, proclaiming the 21 September of each year as the International Day of Peace, a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, honouring a cessation of hostilities for the Day.
iv.Every year, the UN holds a Peace Bell Ceremony in New York, the United States of America (USA) on September 21st to observe the IDP.
UN Peace Bell:
i.The Peace Bell, also known as the Japanese Peace Bell in the UN headquarters was donated by Chiyoji Nakagawa through the UN Association of Japan (UNAJ) in June 1954.
- Chiyoji Nakagawa, the former counselor of the UNAJ proposed to “make a Peace Bell” as a symbol of hope for peace.
ii.The bell was presented to the UN by Mr. Renzo Sawanda, a Japanese observer to the UN, in 1954.
iii.The bell was cast in 1952 from the coins and medals donated by delegates of over 60 nations who attended the 13th General Conference (GC) of the UNA held in Paris, France in 1951.
iv.The bell tower was modeled after the Hanamido (a small temple decorated with flowers) that symbolises the place where Buddha was born.
Ringing the UN Peace Bell
It has become a tradition to ring the Japanese Peace Bell twice a year:
- On the first day of spring at the vernal equinox, in celebration of the annual Earth Day.
- On 21 September to celebrate the International Day of Peace.
Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace:
i.The UN Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace was adopted by UNGA (A/RES/53/243) on September 13, 1999.
ii.It is the fundamental document of the culture of peace, and one of the greatest documents ever produced by the UN, on par with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
iii.The 8action areas of the document are:
- Culture of peace through education
- Sustainable economic and social development
- Respect for all human rights
- Equality between women and men
- Democratic participation
- Understanding, tolerance, and solidarity
- Participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge
- International peace and security.
2024 Event:
2024 Peace Bell Ceremony
On 13 September 2024, the annual Peace Bell Ceremony was held in the Japanese Garden at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA. A moment of silence was observed before ringing the Peace Bell.
- The Ceremony was attended by António Guterres, UN Secretary-General (SG); Philémon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the UNGA; Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy SG (DSG) of the UN; Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan, among others.
UN Summit of the Future:
IDP 2024 is coinciding with the UN Summit of the Future, focuses on the theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” underscoring the urgent need for unity in the face of escalating conflict.
- The summit is hosted by the UNGA on 22-23 September 2024 in New York, the USA.
