All we are saying, is give peace a chance
The International Day of Peace, 2007
A young boy in Sierra Leone gears up for combat. At this very moment, more than 30 armed conflicts are occurring around the world. From east to west and north to south, men, women and children have lost their right to live in safety—to live without fear. This September 21st, join Free The Children, the United Nations and many other organizations and individuals worldwide take action towards a more peaceful world during the 2007 International Day of Peace.
The International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations during the 1981 UN General Assembly. It was to be an annual observance devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace among all nations.
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On September 21st at 10 a.m., the United Nations will open the day with a message of peace, asking for a ceasefire around the world with a special ceremony near the Peace Bell. [2]
Creating a culture of Peace
 Diverse communities commemorating the International Day of Peace by holding a vigil. In the many armed conflicts occurring in the world today, more than 300,000 child soldiers are lost in the shuffle—spending their days learning the ins and outs of armed combat instead of their ABCs. In countries like Sierra Leone (which ended a brutal civil war in 2002) and Sri Lanka (where armed conflict has been raging for nearly a quarter century), violence is often a part of the daily routine. At Free The Children we are constantly striving to create a culture of peace through our domestic and overseas programming. Building schools through our Adopt a Village: Brick By Brick campaign helps children learn valuable skills for the future, and gives them the confidence to make decisions that will help to build a universal culture of peace.
Violence doesn’t only exist overseas, however; it happens here at home as well. This year’s International Day of Peace is an ideal opportunity for each of us to reflect on the many actions we can take to foster peace in our lives, whether those actions are global in nature (like raising awareness about child soldiers, or fundraising to build a school), or local (like standing up for someone being bullied).
Ways you can get involved
- Ask your principal if your school can observe a moment of silence on the morning of September 21st to reflect on those suffering in war affected regions.
- Organize an event to educate people about children affected by violence overseas and at home.
- Raise money to build a school in war affected countries like Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone.
- On the International Day of Peace, sing a song of peace with your classmates. Or, better yet, write your own song of peace to share with your classmates!
No matter how you choose to promote peace in your life, the important part is that you take action.
Helpful hints from helpful links
Learn more about creating a culture of peace
Check out more information about the United Nations International Day of Peace/
Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has an established track-record of success, with three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with the United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network. |
