International Day of Peace September 21st, 2022
Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace, with Geneseo Peace Action and Rochester Chapter 23 Veterans for Peace, invites you to celebrate the International Day of Peace on Wednesday, September 21st with a vigil at Main Street and South Street, Geneseo, starting at 4:00 PM and ending with a march onto the Geneseo campus.
GVCP invites you to join the efforts of the United Nations as we work towards a world free of war and nuclear weapons, and a world free of racism, where compassion and empathy overcome suspicion and hatred. A world that we can truly be proud of. Create your own celebration of Peace Day by joining us on September 21st. (For more details, check the attachment below.)
About the International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on September 21st. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, the UN General Assembly has declared this a day devoted to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.”
Furthermore, the resolution states the International Day of Peace shall be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day.
The UN 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.
Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.
The 2022 theme for the International Day of Peace is “End racism. Build peace.” Achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race. As Secretary-General António Guterres said: “Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and everyday life in every society. It continues to be a driver of persistent inequality. And it continues to deny people their fundamental human rights. It destabilizes societies, undermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments…” As conflicts continue to erupt across the globe, as wars continues to rage, causing people to flee, we have seen race-based discrimination at borders. As economies suffer, we have seen hate speech and violence directed at racial minorities.
We all have a role to play in fostering peace. Tackling racism is one way to contribute. The possibilities for Peace Day activities are many, and include: observing a minute of silence at 12 noon, making peace cranes, hosting community gatherings, vigils, concerts, festivals, and soccer games in the spirit of peace, learning about and supporting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, providing service to others, writing peace poetry, marches, parades, activities engaging youth, and programs with government officials.
Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace will celebrate the International Day of Peace on Wednesday September 21st with a vigil at Main and South Street, Geneseo, starting at 4 pm and ending with a march onto the Geneseo campus. Co-sponsoring this event will be Geneseo Peace Action, and Rochester Chapter 23 Veterans For Peace.
GVCP invites you to join the efforts of the United Nations as we work towards a world free of war and nuclear weapons, and a world free of racism, where compassion and empathy overcome suspicion and hatred. A world that we can truly be proud of. Create your own celebration of Peace Day! Join GVCP on Main Street at 4pm on September 21st!