By Dr. Jacqueline Irwin, CEO, Community Relations Council
International Day of Peace on 21st September is the annual global reminder that everyone has a part to play in building a peaceful world, starting in our homes and communities and building all the way out to international relations between countries.
The need for this global call was recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in a unanimous resolution in 1981 to establish the International Day of Peace. In 2001 the General Assembly went further to designate the day as a of non-violence and cease-fire in active conflicts. “Peace Day” is a globally shared date to focus on the need to build a peaceful culture and place that way of living above all our differences. The United Nations works in these initiatives and many other ways to lead and support the global efforts to advance human rights, fight climate change, and prevent and respond to conflict. UN peacekeepers work in difficult and dangerous conditions around the world and the Peacebuilding Commission, backed by voluntary contributions from Member States, helps countries recover and rebuild after conflict addressing poverty, inequality, discrimination and injustice, which are all potential drivers of violence. Through 17 Sustainable Development Goals (which the Community Relations Council used as the focus of Good Relations Week 2022), the United Nations supports the efforts of countries to increase prosperity, raise health and living standards, and end all forms of discrimination and injustice.
This year’s UN International Day of Peace which has the theme Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day, honours the “everyday architects of peace – people driving local action, laying the groundwork for stability, and building a lasting peace from the ground up.” Peace is not only the product of political negotiations, but also the outcome of the intentions and actions of everyone, everywhere, every day. We all have a role to play in speaking out against violence, hate, discrimination, and inequality; a role in practicing respect; and a role in recognising and embracing the diversity of our world.
The work of the Community Relations Council has always been underpinned by the belief that peace must be built and sustained by everyone, everywhere, every day. Central to our mission has been the distribution of funds across the region to supports organisations to build peace and tackle sectarianism and racism. On our website you will find lots of examples of projects working in cities, town, villages and rural areas to improve community relations, recognise our cultural diversity, and contribute to peaceful living. They are often small, local projects bringing people from different traditions together to work on shared concerns, interests, or practical ideas. Through projects using the creative arts, crafts, education, social justice, history, health, environment, sport, neighbourhood issues, service to others, and many other initiatives that bring people from different cultural backgrounds together, they develop trust and understanding of each other. These are examples of the “everyday architects of peace” and the ways in which we build bridges between people, and at the same time undertake shared projects that add meaningful value to life in our changing community.
This year on the 21st of September to mark International Peace Day we are hosting a conference to recognise the important, positive difference this work makes; at that event we will also launch our annual “Making an Impact Report”. In addition, we are using the theme of Include: Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday to inspire Good Relations Week which starts on 12th October. You can find more information about Good Relations Week here and we hope you will take part in the week by organising or attending an event.
This year’s International Day of Peace is a global call to Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day. The Community Relations Council and the organisations we fund answer that call every day, investing in projects that build peace in our communities. This action is vital, so whatever you decide to do for peace in your area, remember your contribution is helping the global effort for a peaceful world.
Find out more about the Peace Day initiative here: www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace.