The 2024 Theme for the International Day of Peace, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” aligns with the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Programmed of Action on a Culture of Peace. This milestone underscores that peace is more than simply the absence of conflict; it requires an active and inclusive effort to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperative conflict resolution. The theme draws on the principle that “wars begin in the minds of men so it is in the minds of men that the defense’s’ of peace must be constructed” (Constitution of UNESCO), highlighting the need to instils peace-mindedness in children and communities through both formal and informal education across countries and generations (https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace).   Established in 1981, the International Day of Peace is celebrated globally every year on September 21. The UN General Assembly declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24 hours of non-violence and ceasefire.

How wonderful it would be if this silencing of weapons and violence could be sustained for an entire generation!  Just imagine children growing up across the world without violence or war, learning to listen to one another, to respect diversity and to live in peace.  Once life is experienced this way, do we really think that anyone would choose violence and war again?  If every country invested even 25% of what they spend on teaching peaceful conflict resolution, restorative justice and cooperation, our world would be a safer, more respectful, and more joyful home for all of us. In that declaration, the United Nations’ most inclusive body recognized that peace “not only is the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.”

Holy One, on this special international day of peace, we pray for a silencing of weapons and an end to violence and hatred.  We commit ourselves to work for true peace, which is built on respecting human dignity, honoring diversity, listening intently, speaking honestly, and living with empathy and compassion.  We pray, continue to guide us in the way of peace.