Skip to main content
Media Contact us Call: 1800 088 110 Image Alt Image Alt
URGENT: Gaza Crisis Appeal: Donate Now
\ Campaigning for change \ International Day of Peace

International Day of Peace

Campaigning for change article written on the 21 Sep 2010

Today, September 21st, is the International Day of Peace. First put in place by the United Nations in 1981, this day is dedicated to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and people.”

The 2nd annual Peace Day Global Broadcast is currently underway, combining the UN Summit for the Millennium Development Goals with Peace Day activities.

Below is the United Nations General Assembly Resolution put in 2001 to reaffirm the initial 1981 resolution and put in the addition of a one-day global ceasefire.

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
55/282. International Day of Peace
The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 36/67 of 30 November 1981, by which it declared that the third Tuesday of September, the opening day of the regular sessions of the General Assembly, shall be officially proclaimed and observed as International Day of Peace and shall be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples,

Recalling also its other relevant resolutions, including resolution 55/14 of 3 November 2000,

Reaffirming the contribution that the observance and celebration of the International Day of Peace makes in strengthening the ideals of peace and alleviating tensions and causes of conflict,

Considering the unique opportunity it offers for a cessation of violence and conflict throughout the world, and the related importance of achieving the broadest possible awareness and observance of the International Day of Peace among the global community,

Desiring to draw attention to the objectives of the International Day of Peace, and therefore to fix a date for its observance each year that is separate from the opening day of the regular sessions of the General Assembly,

  1. Decides that, with effect from the fifty-seventh session of the General Assembly, the International Day of Peace shall be observed on 21 September each year, with this date to be brought to the attention of all people for the celebration and observance of peace;
  2. Declares that the International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day;
  3. Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, regional and non-governmental organizations and individuals to commemorate, in an appropriate manner, the International Day of Peace, including through education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the establishment of the global ceasefire.

111th plenary meeting
7 September 2001