Happy Peace Day!
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Mohammad Shahidul Islam
THE first Peace Day was observed in September, 1982. The United Nations General Assembly, in 1981, declared in a resolution sponsored by Costa Rica, the third Tuesday of September (the opening day of regular sessions of the General Assembly) as the International Day of Peace committed to commemorating and promoting the ideals of peace.
In 2001 a resolution was passed by the General Assembly sponsored by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica to give the Day of Peace a fixed date and to declare it as a global 'ceasefire' day.
The resolution runs as follows: "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...
"Invites all Member States, organisations of the United Nations system, and non-governmental organisations 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."
In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the 'permanent' date for the International Day of Peace. The International Day of Peace is on September 21st of each year. It calls for a full day of peace and ceasefire throughout the world. The "Peace Bell" is ringed at UN Head quarters to mark this event. The bell is cast from coins donated by children of all continents and is considered a symbol of global solidarity. Gifted by Japan, the inscription on its side reads: "Long Live absolute world peace". International Day of Peace is observed annually across the globe in every country but not so colourfully in Bangladesh.
By declaring the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation in pursuit of this goal. During the discussion of the UN resolution that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.
We now live in an age of terrorism amid tales of atrocities committed by malevolent masterminds that dominate the headlines of print and electronic media worldwide. They make use of violence and the threats of violence for pressing political demands and try to gain the upper hand vitiating the society and estranging the people.
Atrocious crimes like terror and massacres of people by man-made bombs are not something new to be talked about. Their consequences generate strong feelings of indelible fear that the people are unable to dispel. We witness images and news of terrorism in countless news channels and feel a deep sorrow for all those who fall prey to atrocious attacks in different parts of the world.
Wars and conflicts are widespread. Attempts should be made to cast off and bury the hatchet that exists between various groups by preventing and resolving conflicts thereby eliminating hostilities for creating and establishing harmony and equality between the various groups. The prevailing injustices should be addressed and justice be restored to people through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, community conferencing, collaboration, international law or military action as the last resort.
Nations that have found peace should help the less peaceful ones by sharing knowledge, food and other resources. Strategies for developing youth can help our future adults from repeating the mistakes that they have committed and that have led them to war.
We have to bear in mind that a large amount of money is being spent on fighting wars and on armaments like guns, rockets and nuclear missiles. The world will cease to exist if no action is taken urgently on behalf of the vast majority lying within the horns of dilemma and crying out for peace. Multiple factors have contributed to the outbreak of war. In a nutshell they are greed, starvation, Third World debt, the environment, dictatorships and terrorism.
In the middle ages, crusades or religious wars created panic among the peace-loving people of Europe. It is repulsive and thought-provoking at the same time that religion has been used as the means by fanatics, extremists, thieves and soldiers for promoting their own vested interests. But we should obviate that major religions believe in peace and respect for fellowmen and their rights for their own individual and collective existence.
Peace starts from within. The way from passion to peace is by overcoming one's self. Where there is peace of mind, there is inner strength. There are many ways to promote peace and perhaps the best way to promote it is within us. It is a gradual and wonderful event which take place because compassionate people are encouraged to help others and discover the joy of peace. Helping others directly enhances our personal peace and well-being.
The members of United Nations Organisation (UNO) have pledged themselves to maintain international peace and security. The states agree to cooperate in promoting such political, economic and social conditions as may facilitate the achievement of these objections. It aims at maintaining international peace and security, developing a spirit of co-operation and friendly relations among the nations, promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, solving international problems of economic, social, cultural and humanitarian character and employing international machinery for the promotion of economic and social advancement of all peoples.
In 2005 United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan called for the worldwide observance of a 24-hour ceasefire and a day of nonviolence to mark the Day. In 2006 then Secretary General Kofi Annan rang the Peace Bell for the last time during his term in office. That year the UN asserted the "many ways it works for peace and to encourage individuals, groups and communities around the world to contemplate and communicate thoughts and activities on how to achieve peace".
In 2007, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon rang the Peace Bell at United Nations Headquarters in New York calling for a 24-hour cessation of hostilities on September 21 and to observe silence for a minute around the world. According to the UN, in 2007 over 100 million people were active on Peace Day in 192 countries. There was a life-saving initiative in 14 countries and over 80 activities in Afghanistan alone where 1.4 million children were vaccinated against Polio.
Bangladesh is no doubt a peaceful country. Here, conflicts and inter religious communal tensions and ugly episodes like those in the neighbouring countries are hardly witness. Even though, we have to make ceaseless efforts to rid ourselves of all vulnerable or potential conflicts that may loom any time.
For that matter, Peace Studies should be introduced in educational institutions for the youth. They should be imparted instructions to inculcate the virtue that is forgiveness and rid themselves of the vice that is hatred. Instead of going haywire, they should rectify their faults and redeem from feud.
The writer is a Tourism Worker. He can be reached at e-mail: shahidbpc@gmail.com
THE first Peace Day was observed in September, 1982. The United Nations General Assembly, in 1981, declared in a resolution sponsored by Costa Rica, the third Tuesday of September (the opening day of regular sessions of the General Assembly) as the International Day of Peace committed to commemorating and promoting the ideals of peace.
In 2001 a resolution was passed by the General Assembly sponsored by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica to give the Day of Peace a fixed date and to declare it as a global 'ceasefire' day.
The resolution runs as follows: "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...
"Invites all Member States, organisations of the United Nations system, and non-governmental organisations 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."
In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the 'permanent' date for the International Day of Peace. The International Day of Peace is on September 21st of each year. It calls for a full day of peace and ceasefire throughout the world. The "Peace Bell" is ringed at UN Head quarters to mark this event. The bell is cast from coins donated by children of all continents and is considered a symbol of global solidarity. Gifted by Japan, the inscription on its side reads: "Long Live absolute world peace". International Day of Peace is observed annually across the globe in every country but not so colourfully in Bangladesh.
By declaring the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation in pursuit of this goal. During the discussion of the UN resolution that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.
We now live in an age of terrorism amid tales of atrocities committed by malevolent masterminds that dominate the headlines of print and electronic media worldwide. They make use of violence and the threats of violence for pressing political demands and try to gain the upper hand vitiating the society and estranging the people.
Atrocious crimes like terror and massacres of people by man-made bombs are not something new to be talked about. Their consequences generate strong feelings of indelible fear that the people are unable to dispel. We witness images and news of terrorism in countless news channels and feel a deep sorrow for all those who fall prey to atrocious attacks in different parts of the world.
Wars and conflicts are widespread. Attempts should be made to cast off and bury the hatchet that exists between various groups by preventing and resolving conflicts thereby eliminating hostilities for creating and establishing harmony and equality between the various groups. The prevailing injustices should be addressed and justice be restored to people through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, community conferencing, collaboration, international law or military action as the last resort.
Nations that have found peace should help the less peaceful ones by sharing knowledge, food and other resources. Strategies for developing youth can help our future adults from repeating the mistakes that they have committed and that have led them to war.
We have to bear in mind that a large amount of money is being spent on fighting wars and on armaments like guns, rockets and nuclear missiles. The world will cease to exist if no action is taken urgently on behalf of the vast majority lying within the horns of dilemma and crying out for peace. Multiple factors have contributed to the outbreak of war. In a nutshell they are greed, starvation, Third World debt, the environment, dictatorships and terrorism.
In the middle ages, crusades or religious wars created panic among the peace-loving people of Europe. It is repulsive and thought-provoking at the same time that religion has been used as the means by fanatics, extremists, thieves and soldiers for promoting their own vested interests. But we should obviate that major religions believe in peace and respect for fellowmen and their rights for their own individual and collective existence.
Peace starts from within. The way from passion to peace is by overcoming one's self. Where there is peace of mind, there is inner strength. There are many ways to promote peace and perhaps the best way to promote it is within us. It is a gradual and wonderful event which take place because compassionate people are encouraged to help others and discover the joy of peace. Helping others directly enhances our personal peace and well-being.
The members of United Nations Organisation (UNO) have pledged themselves to maintain international peace and security. The states agree to cooperate in promoting such political, economic and social conditions as may facilitate the achievement of these objections. It aims at maintaining international peace and security, developing a spirit of co-operation and friendly relations among the nations, promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, solving international problems of economic, social, cultural and humanitarian character and employing international machinery for the promotion of economic and social advancement of all peoples.
In 2005 United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan called for the worldwide observance of a 24-hour ceasefire and a day of nonviolence to mark the Day. In 2006 then Secretary General Kofi Annan rang the Peace Bell for the last time during his term in office. That year the UN asserted the "many ways it works for peace and to encourage individuals, groups and communities around the world to contemplate and communicate thoughts and activities on how to achieve peace".
In 2007, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon rang the Peace Bell at United Nations Headquarters in New York calling for a 24-hour cessation of hostilities on September 21 and to observe silence for a minute around the world. According to the UN, in 2007 over 100 million people were active on Peace Day in 192 countries. There was a life-saving initiative in 14 countries and over 80 activities in Afghanistan alone where 1.4 million children were vaccinated against Polio.
Bangladesh is no doubt a peaceful country. Here, conflicts and inter religious communal tensions and ugly episodes like those in the neighbouring countries are hardly witness. Even though, we have to make ceaseless efforts to rid ourselves of all vulnerable or potential conflicts that may loom any time.
For that matter, Peace Studies should be introduced in educational institutions for the youth. They should be imparted instructions to inculcate the virtue that is forgiveness and rid themselves of the vice that is hatred. Instead of going haywire, they should rectify their faults and redeem from feud.
The writer is a Tourism Worker. He can be reached at e-mail: shahidbpc@gmail.com