The International Day of Peace, observed each year on 21 September, is a global call for ceasefire and non-violence. This year the Secretary-General is calling on governments and citizens to focus on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. In the Philippines, a multi-sectoral, multi-faith and intergenerational gathering was held in the Quezon City Circle spearheaded by Generation Peace Network with support from United Nations Development program and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. UNYAP being a member of GenPeace Network joined the activity by mounting an MDG Booth and reading poetry for peace. Judge Aurora Navarrette Recina, UNAP President and Prof. Serafin A. Arviola Jr., UNAP Director for Youth Affairs graced the occasion. Our participation in this activity is being coordinated by Ms. Macky Mendoza, VP Internal and Mr. Alexander Santos, Commissioner for Peace and Human Rights Education.
On 13 June 2009, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched a multiplatform campaign under the slogan WMD – We Must Disarm to mark the 100-day countdown which lead to the International Day of Peace on 21 September.
The United Nations will continue to raise awareness of the dangers and costs of nuclear weapons, and on why nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation are so crucial. The Secretary-General was joined in the campaign by United Nations Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas, who has championed the cause of disarmament for the United Nations since 1998, and American actor Rainn Wilson, featured in the TV series The Office.
The International Day of Peace was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 for “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and people.” Twenty years later, the General Assembly decided that 21 September would be observed annually as a “day of global ceasefire and non-violence" and invited all Member States, organizations and individuals to commemorate the day, including through education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the establishment of a global ceasefire.
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