The International Day of Peace, also known as the World Peace Day, occurs annually on September 21. It is observed by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples. Like every year since the inception of the organization, for Peace and Development Pakistan Council for Social Welfare & Human Rights (PCSW&HR) an active Cooperation Circle (CC) of United Religions Initiatives (URI) in Pakistan also planned to observe the International Day of Peace on 21st September 2012, and convention & workshop on “ Role of Women for Sustainable Peace for Sustainable Future” has been scheduled on 21st September 2012, but as on 21st September 2012 there was Yume Ishqe-Rasool (PBUH) was observed at Government level throughout Pakistan to register the protest against the Anti Islam Film. Therefore, PCSW&HR organized the Convention & Workshop with the topic “Sustainable Peace for Sustainable future and role of women in Peace” on 27th September 2012 in connection with to celebrate the International Day of Peace.
In Convention more than 500 women representing different Civil Society Organizations, Government quarters, media, beauticians associations and college students etc belonging from multi faiths & religions participated. Chairman PCSW&HR Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori was chief guest in the Convention. Mr. Mansoor Ahmed Executive Director PCSW&HR, Mr. Hanif Janjua General Secretary Hair Dressers Association of Pakistan, Ms. Madam Shamila, media representative both electronic and print media and others also participated in the Convention & Workshop. While speaking during the Convention & Workshop Mr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori chief guest highlighted that each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. Mr. Noori informed the participants that in the context of the Rio+20 Conference “Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future” is the theme chosen for this year's observance of the International day of Peace.
He said that PCSW&HR is deeply committed to peace and reconciliation. Peace has its foundation in the quality of human character and human relationships. Our shared moral and spiritual traditions teach us of our common origins, purpose, and destiny. Therefore, in our mission for peace, let us keep in mind that peace will materialize on the basis of a moral and spiritual awakening and recognition that we are all brothers and sisters. We are one family under God. The International Day of Peace is an opportunity to promote interfaith dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation. On this, and every day, let us work together to build a world that appears and fulfills our shared hopes and aspirations. There can be no sustainable future without a sustainable peace. Sustainable peace must be built on sustainable development. To make peace in the world and ensure a sustainable future, Mr. Noori urged the local resistance to all forms of violence especially violence against women. He further said that every one of us must contribute to peace building and spread the importance of peace in their communities, as the absence of violence would not necessarily explain to the presence of peace. The responsibility of sustaining peace is not tenant in the government alone, but in the citizens as they are the major drivers of the economy and society. “The best way to sustain peace is to maintain a high level of inner peace which transcends beyond an individual to a larger group and society,” he said that every individual should explore alternative means of dispute resolution to express grievances and resolve dispute.
Every individual needs to avoid violence as the primary focus of a sustainable development plan is on building institutional structures that aim to support dialogue and even allocation/ distribution of resources rather than promoting violent expressions.” Mr. Noori also said that PCSW&HR believes that racial and den directly and 1350 families indirectly in stipulated timeframe of this proposal. gender equality and women economic empowerment help reduce poverty and ensures sustainable economic growth as well as sustainable peace. Good natural resource management can play a central role in building sustainable peace in developing countries.
Mr. Noori added that women have to unite them in a group at grass root level to eliminate the terrorism and extremism from our society, because women can play their important role to eliminate terrorism and extremism for sustainable peace. It is a moral and social obligation of our society to strengthen the bond of love and to promote the culture of peace, tolerance, religious harmony, and social justice in the country.
While addressing the convention & workshop speakers said that no country or nation can achieve real progress without peace, rule of law and justice. Without justice and peace society may involved in different kinds of social & economic problems and inducements. Due to non availability of peace and justice to common man causes poverty and terrorism. They further said that in the present scenario terrorism and extremism are the biggest challenge for Pakistan and world, but every one of us is sure that present move of terrorism in Pakistan is part of conspiracy to destabilize the growth and development of Pakistan. Terrorist has no religion terrorist is just terrorist, all religion give the message of peace and love and there is no accommodation of any kind of bloodshed in both spiritual religions Islam and Christianity. Speakers also called for “conscious efforts” for the socio-economic uplift of the under privileged and marginalized section of society especially women so as to integrate them and bring them in the mainstream to eliminate the terrorism and extremism from our society to secure the sustainable peace for sustainable peace. During the convention & workshop a minute of silence was also observed to honor the victims those who have lost their lives and those who survived but must now cope with trauma and pain.
At the end of convention & workshop shields and certificate also distributed among the women those play their important role to disseminate the message of peace among the society.
