International Day of Peace
Today, Teachers and education workers will join with United Nations offices, governmental and non-governmental agencies, civil society and religious groups to promote the ideals of peace and non-violence on International Day of Peace.
The General Assembly of the UN in 2001 voted unanimously to mark 21 September as a day of non-violence and ceasefire. This forms part of the "International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010)".
Many schools across the world will observe a one minute silence at 12.00. Others will commemorate the event by entering one of the art or writing competitions organised in their country.
In the UK, over 6,000 schools will commemorate International Day of Peace through music; singing a song entitled ‘No Wars Will Stop Us Singing’ composed especially for the event.
Additionally, the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education will be awarded; this year to Sri Lankan Christopher Gregory Weeramantry.
At United Nations Headquarters, the International Day of Peace will be observed with the traditional ceremony in which Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, will ring the Peace Bell (cast from coins donated by people from some 60 countries) for the last time during his term in office.
