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Monday 21 SepteMber 2020 LOCAL
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2020 Theme: Shaping Peace Together

ORANJESTAD — Each year ed global pandemic. While share thoughts on how to
the International Day of the message is intended weather this storm, heal our
Peace is observed around for armed parties, solidar- planet and change it for
the world on 21 September. ity and cooperation across the better. Even though we
The UN General Assem- borders, sectors and gen- may not be able to stand
bly has declared this as a erations are also needed next to each other, we can
day devoted to strength- to win this new fight against still dream together.
ening the ideals of peace, the worst public health cri-
through observing 24 sis of our time. The 2020 theme for the In-
hours of non-violence and ternational Day of Peace
cease-fire. For the United Nations, 2020 is “Shaping Peace Togeth-
was already meant to be a er.” Celebrate the day by
This year, it has been clear- year of listening and learn- spreading compassion,
er than ever that we are ing. To mark its 75th anni- kindness and hope in the
not each other’s enemies. versary, the UN has invited face of the pandemic.
Rather, our common en- millions of people world- Stand together with the UN
emy is a tireless virus that wide to join UN75, the larg- against attempts to use the
threatens our health, se- est and furthest-reaching virus to promote discrimina-
curity and very way of life. global conversation on tion or hatred. Join us so
COVID-19 has thrown our building the peaceful and that we can shape peace
world into turmoil and forc- prosperous future that we together.
ibly reminded us that what want.
happens in one part of the As we struggle to defeat Background
planet can impact people COVID-19, your voice is The International Day of
everywhere. more important than ever. Peace was established in
In these difficult times of 1981 by the United Nations
In March, UN Secretary- physical distancing, this In- General Assembly. Two
General António Guterres ternational Day of Peace decades later, in 2001, the
called on all warring parties will be dedicated to fos- General Assembly unani-
to lay down their weapons tering dialogue and col- mously voted to designate
and focus on the battle lecting ideas. The world the Day as a period of non-
against this unprecedent- will be invited to unite and violence and cease-fire.
The United Nations invites
all nations and people to
honor a cessation of hostili-
ties during the Day, and to
otherwise commemorate
the Day through education
and public awareness on
issues related to peace.

Why do we mark Interna-
tional Days?
International days are oc-
casions to educate the
public on issues of con-
cern, to mobilize political
will and resources to ad-
dress global problems, and
to celebrate and reinforce
achievements of human-
ity. The existence of inter-
national days predates the
establishment of the United
Nations, but the UN has em-
braced them as a powerful
advocacy tool. We also
mark other UN observanc-
es. q
Source: un.org.