International Day of Peace 2016: When is it and why is it celebrated?
When is International Day of Peace celebrated?
When it was first established in 1981, and for a few years after that, International Day of Peace was celebrated on the third Saturday of every September, to coincide with the opening day of the annual sessions of the UN General Assembly.
However, the date was changed to a more fixed 21 September in 2001, so that it would be observed on that day from 2002, and that is when it is celebrated every year now. The change enacted in 2001 also saw more connotations being attached to the International Day of Peace, thereby adding to its significance.
Why is it celebrated?
When it was introduced in 1981, International Day of Peace was to be observed to celebrate and strengthen the ideals peace stood for. However, when a resolution was brought and passed in 2001 to fix its date on 21 September, the day also became one of worldwide ceasefire and overall non-violence.
International Day of Peace hs since come to be celebrated for any point of time when there is absence of war in any region so people are ate relative peace and receiving humanitarian aid.
The day also has a fixed them. This year it is: "The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace." UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has said of these goals: "The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are our shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world`s leaders and the people. They are a to-do list for people and planet, and a blueprint for success."
You can find out more about the International Day of Peace on the official website of the United Nations.