Native
Village Home PageINTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2007
Dear friends,
Peace is one of humanity's most precious needs. It is also the UN's highest
calling.
It defines our mission. It drives our discourse. And it draws together all of
our worldwide work, from peacekeeping and preventive diplomacy to promoting
human rights and development.
This work for peace is vital. But it is not easy. Indeed, in countless
communities across the world, peace remains an elusive goal. From the displaced
person camps of Chad and Darfur to the byways of Baghdad, the quest for peace is
strewn with setbacks and suffering.
September 21, the International Day of Peace, is an occasion to take stock of
our efforts to promote peace and well-being for all people everywhere.
It is an opportunity to appreciate what we have already accomplished, and to
dedicate ourselves to all that remains to be done.
It is also meant to be a day of global cease-fire: a twenty-four hour
respite from the fear and insecurity that plague so many places.
Today, I urge all countries and all combatants to honour this cessation of
hostilities. And I ask people everywhere to observe a minute of silence at 12
noon local time.
As the guns fall silent, we should use this opportunity to ponder the
price we all pay due to conflict. And we should resolve to vigorously pursue
ways to make permanent this day's pause.
On this International Day, let us promise to make peace not just a priority, but
a passion. Let us pledge to do more, wherever we are in whatever way we can, to
make every day a day of peace.
Thank you,
Ban Ki-moon
United Nations Secretary-General
2007 International Day of Peace
Homepage:
http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/