The Peace Bell was donated by the United Nations Association of Japan in 1954. It has become tradition to ring the bell twice a year: on the first day of spring, at the Vernal Equinox, and on 21 September to celebrate the International Day for Peace.

International Day of Peace and  the Message from Ukraine

Siby K Joseph 

Introduction

Building lasting peace has been major concern of international organizations like United Nations and governments all over the globe. Sustainable peace is considered as an essential prerequisite for the exercise of fundamental duties and rights of individuals. Only such a peace can ensure the citizens to lead a life enriched with values of justice, freedom, equality, solidarity, sharing and togetherness. Human beings quest for peace has prompted the United Nations and similar bodies to devote specific days for the promotion of peace and non-violence. The observance of International Day of Peace by the United Nations is an effort on the part of organization to remind humanity the significance of peace and accelerate the peace initiatives for ensuring lasting peace and security.

The International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations General Assembly through a resolution   in 1981 coinciding with its opening session of the General Assembly which was held annually on the third Tuesday of September. The first Peace Day was observed in September 1982. It was held on the third Tuesday of September each year up to 2001. The General Assembly of UN decided in 2001 that the International Day of Peace should be annually observed on September 21 starting from 2002.   In the said resolution, the General Assembly declared that the day should be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. It called upon all nations and people to honour the cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day.

Observance of International Day of Peace

The observance of the International Day of Peace starts with the ringing of the United Nations Peace Bell at UN Headquarters in New York. The bell is made from coins donated by children from all continents except Africa. It was a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan to the UN as a reminder of the human cost of war. It bears the inscription which reads:  “Long live absolute world peace”  For  many  years, the UN has been observing International Day of Peace with a specific theme.

Theme  of International Day of Peace 2023 

 Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals

The theme of International Day of Peace  for the year 2023  is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. Fostering peace contributes to the realization of the  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS)and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will create a culture of peace for all.  This observation  in  2023 marks the mid-point in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. 

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, "Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict are unleashing devastation, poverty, and hunger, and driving tens of millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is all around. And even peaceful countries are gripped by gaping inequalities and political polarization."

Message from Ukraine

It is unfortunate that even when we are observing International Day of Peace there is no peace in Ukraine. Below is Statement by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, on International Day of Peace

Let us take this day, and every single day that we wake, to think about the absence of peace in Ukraine and the consequences of war.

Russia’s escalation of the war continues to inflict untold suffering on the lives of the people of Ukraine, who resolutely demonstrate dignity and determination in the face of adversity.

Near-daily air strikes, artillery fire, areas of land contaminated by mines, and constant air raid sirens; these are the harbingers of loss and grief. Lives are brutally taken, homes are destroyed, local economies shattered. This is the reality of life in Ukraine today.

The high cost of war being paid by this country is a stark reminder of what is lost when there is no peace in Ukraine, and indeed, in too many places around the world.

The position of the United Nations is unequivocal: the Russian Federation has violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine and violated the UN Charter and International Humanitarian Law.

Repeated attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are violations of International Humanitarian Law.

At the opening of the 78th Session of the General Assembly, UN Secretary-General made clear, “It is high time to renew multilateral institutions based on 21st century economic and political realities – rooted in equity, solidarity and universality – anchored in the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.”

There is no peace in Ukraine on this International Day of Peace.

We must all strive to change this reality.

Kyiv, 21 September 2023

 September 21 marks 575 th day of Russia Ukraine war . On this International day of Peace all nations should  come together to put an end to this war which is continuing for quite long time.