Today UNA-UK joins millions of people around the world to celebrate the UN’s International Day of Peace.
Since 1982, the International Day of Peace has been celebrated every year on 21 September with the aim to cease all hostilities and conflict, across the globe, for just one day. By demonstrating to governments, organisations, societies and individuals what can be achieved in a single day, the initiative aims to build momentum for longer term peace settlements.
Every year the International Day of Peace has a different theme, in order to raise awareness of a particular issue surrounding hostilities. This year’s theme, “sustainable peace for a sustainable future” brings to light the devastating effect war and hostilities have on developing countries and lifting people out of extreme poverty.
Development in many countries gripped by conflict is stunted by a number of issues, includng using the use of natural resources to finance war, recruitment of child soldiers and national budgets wasted on conflict rather than addressing development issues.
UNA-UK action
Following on from UNA-UK's activities to promote the Olympic Truce, that Association will mark this day by taking part in a one minute silence at noon (GMT) to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives to conflict, and to think of those who have survived and must now live in pain having lost loved ones, homes and jobs.
In celebration and recognition of efforts around the world to cease hostilities on 21 September, UNA-UK is delighted to host a live stream of Peace One Day's 'Global Truce 2012' concert, taking place at Wembly Arena and broadcasting from 7:10pm.
