Annually, the International Day of Peace is commemorated worldwide on September 21st. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly designated this day as a time to nurture the principles of peace through 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. The theme for 2022 is “End racism. Build peace.”
The International Day of Peace was instituted in 1981 by the UN General Assembly. In 2001, it unanimously voted to earmark the day as a period of cease-fire and non-violence.
The Symbol of Peace Day
In 1954, the United Nations Association of Japan donated the Peace Bell, which has become associated with this significant day. Routine protocol includes ringing the bell twice annually: on the first day of spring – the Vernal Equinox – and on September 21st, the International Day of Peace.
Gandhi’s Legacy: The International Day of Non-Violence
Marked on 2nd October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the International Day of Non-Violence was established by UNGA in 2007. This day is devoted to spreading the message of non-violence through education and public awareness.
Challenges to Global Peace: The Rise in Racism
Racism poses a significant problem to global peace, as evidenced by the racial disparity in the United States. Black Americans earn 25% less than their white counterparts and are twice as likely to be unemployed. Black women at similar income and education levels are three to four times more likely to experience pregnancy-related deaths than white women.
Armed Conflicts and Global Unrest
Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Turkey, Somalia, Iraq, Mexico, and Libya each reported at least 1,000 deaths through militarized attacks and battles in 2019, primarily among civilians, according to the World Population Review.
The Russia-Ukraine War: A Cost-of-living Crisis
The war in Ukraine has caused a cost-of-living crisis, exposing an estimated 1.6 billion people to a minimum of one aspect of the crisis – food, energy, and finance.
Refugee Crisis and the Role of Global Powers
The UN Refugee Agency reports that by 2019’s end, 79.5 million people were displaced due to armed conflicts, persecution, and other reasons. The USA, Russia, and China, permanent members of the UN Security Council, are expected to maintain peace and international harmony. However, they often exacerbate instability to attain geopolitical dominance.
Geopolitical Hegemony and the World’s Worst Humanitarian Disaster
Events like Yemen’s tragedy, termed by the UN as the world’s worst humanitarian disaster, illustrate this. The US-backed coalition of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose goal is to counterbalance Iran, conducted indiscriminate attacks, leading to the catastrophe.
New Power Struggles, Pandemic, and Climate Crisis
The emerging conflict and competition between powerful countries like the USA and China (new Cold War) threatens global peace. Additionally, the rise of extreme climate events and pandemics like COVID-19 pose new challenges due to restricted access to resources, health, education, and displacement.
Way Forward for Peace
On the International Day of Peace, the unfair structure favoring great powers should be identified and challenged. Intellectuals, social movements, and responsible states should work towards establishing a fair world order.
