International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by a resolution of the UN General Assembly. In 2001 the date was fixed on September 21. 

This year's Day of Peace celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "The Right to Peace- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70."

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone document; it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948 as a "common standard of achievement" (a goal) for all peoples and all nations.

“It is time all nations and all people live up to the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human race. This year marks the 70th anniversary of that landmark document.” -- Secretary-General António Guterres

Peace Day Agenda:
1. Journal queries
2. Raise awareness
3. Work on my Peace Pole
4. Peace vigil

1. Journal queries: Consider and list ways I can work for peace this fall and winter. 

How can I teach peace?  

How can I celebrate peace?  

How can I express peace in my art and writing?

2. Raise Awareness: 
This year, the International Day of Peace focuses on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states in Article 3. 

“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” 

These are the basic elements of freedom, justice and peace in the world, but the Universal Declaration doesn't really include the words “Right to Peace”. 

On the UN web page they ask us:

What does “The Right to Peace” mean to you? Share your ideas with us through #peaceday and #standup4humanright. 

In the lead up to the International Day of Peace on 21 September, we call upon all to take action.
You can support SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions by seeking peaceful resolution of conflict when disagreements arise around you. You can be part of the solution by taking small steps. You can prevent an injustice at school or in your community by adopting a non-violent approach to problem solving and reporting potential crimes, including online bullying.  

You can promote human rights by collecting and promoting videos of as many articles as possible in as many languages as possible. Record yourself reading one of the 30 articles of the Declaration in any of the 135 languages currently available and share your video with your friends. 

You can engage by speaking up when others are at risk and stand with others’ human rights at work, in school and around the dinner table. 

You can reflect how each of us can stand up for rights, every day.

3. Work on my Peace Pole:

Each year I choose a project for Peace Day. One year we made peace flags; once I invited friends to watch a video about Peace Day; and once we made a peace poster in my art class. A couple of years ago I found the website for Pinwheels for Peace, and I was inspired to make pinwheels with one of my students. (That project is described here.)

Last year my adult students painted abstract paintings that expressed a feeling of peace.

This year I decided to work on my peace pole.

4. Peace vigil at noon today:
Whatever you choose to do, please pause at 12 Noon local time and join people all across the globe in a Minute of Silence / Moment of Peace.

  Minute of Silence/Moment of Peace      In 1984, in commemoration of the annual International Day of Peace and in solidarity with the United Nations, the NGO Pathways To Peace inaugurated the Minute of Silence at 12:00 Noon in each time zone, resulting in a “Peace Wave” around the world. Individuals, organizations, communities and nations are invited to participate in this shared and practical act of peacebuilding on September 21.