In the Gulu District of Uganda “peace” is more than just a vague ideal. For people who suffered 21 years of a brutal civil war, it is something to be honored, celebrated and fiercely protected. So on the International Day of Peace this year, the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative Cooperation Circle and several other CCs joined thousands of people from across the Acholi region for a long weekend of rallies, music, art competitions and a peace walk with Uganda’s pre-eminent religious leaders.
The celebration in Uganda was just one of dozens of events being organized and supported by URI members all over the world in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace, September 21.
Established by the United Nations in 1981, the International Day of Peace was created to inspire individuals, organizations and nations to take practical actions to promote peace. It is also a day of international ceasefire.
“Of course we cannot create peace in a single day,” said URI Executive Director Charles P. Gibbs, “but we believe that peace is a process that starts in the hearts and minds of individuals, and grows to encompass communities, towns and cities, countries and regions.
“The International Day of Peace helps inspire and nurture that process.”
URI has been promoting and celebrating IDP for more than ten years. Two major campaigns this year include the “Intolerance ends with me” on-line pledge campaign that runs the entire month of September on www.uri.org; and 11 Days, 11 Ways, a campaign by URI in North America in partnership with We the World that highlights different aspects of peacebuilding, from health to economic justice to the environment, on each day between September 11 and September 21.
Activities by URI CCs and regional offices around the world include a march for peace in Bethlehem, Palestine by Volunteering for Peace; environmental events by groups in New York and Melbourne, Australia; and a youth conference under the theme “Make your voice heard,” by the Youth Society for Peace in Nepal. (Click here to view our growing list.)
URI also helps organize official IDP celebrations at the United Nations each year, including an annual student observance and ringing of the peace bell, held on September 15 this year.
