MOSCOW, September 21 (RIA Novosti) - The International Day of Peace is marked on September 21, established by the UN General Assembly with a view to extending and strengthening the ideals of peace in relations between states and peoples within and between them.
On November 30, 1981, at the 36th session of its Assembly, the United Nations adopted a resolution according to which the Peace Day should be celebrated in September, on the opening day of the regular session. In 2001, the Assembly of the UN unanimously adopted a special resolution in which it decided to celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21.
On this day, the United Nations invites all nations and people to stop fighting or celebrate the holiday with educational and public awareness campaigns dedicated to peace.
In 2014, the International Day of Peace will be held under the motto "The right of peoples to peace." The theme of this day in the current year reflects the 30th anniversary of the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace, the key idea of which is to understand that sustainable human progress and the realization of fundamental rights and freedoms depend on maintaining peace and security. This understanding is the basis of the approach "Rights – Immediately," according to which the international community should be proactive and act more coherently when faced with human rights violations that are often precursors to the worst conflicts. History has shown that no matter how bitter the conflict, it can be resolved, peace can reign and reconciliation can be achieved.
Every year on September 21, the United Nations holds a variety of activities, beginning with the traditional ceremony at the Peace Bell, which was cast from coins collected by children from 60 countries and presented to the UN in June 1954 by the United Nations Association of Japan. During the opening ceremony, the UN Secretary-General gives a speech and strikes the bell. After a moment of silence, the President of the UN Security Council gives a speech.
On the International Day of Peace, various governmental and nongovernmental organizations and religious groups hold many events to promote non-violence.
The holiday involves millions of people in many countries and regions. It aims to encourage people to not only think about peace, but also do something about it.
