Every year, September 21, the global community observes the International Day of Peace with the aim to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and peoples and fostering a culture of nonviolence and ceasefire across the globe.
This year’s International Peace Day was celebrated with various events under the theme “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals”.
In a message conveyed in relation to the day, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres said: “As we mark this International Day of Peace, people and our planet are in crisis. Conflicts driving record numbers of people from their homes. Deadly fires, raging floods and soaring temperatures, poverty, inequalities and injustices, as well as mistrust, division and prejudice are affecting many countries across the globe.”
Stating that this year’s theme is “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals” and reminding that peace is not automatic, Guterres said peace is the result of action.
“Peace is needed today more than ever. Fostering peace contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and achieving the goals will create a culture of peace for all,” the Secretary-General underscored.
True, peace has fundamental and indispensable values in achieving sustainable development, building a strong and stable nation. It also lays the foundation to generate responsible citizens. The absence of conflict and violence will let people lead their lives without fear and uncertainty. The existence of peace, security and stability allow individuals, communities, and institutions to thrive and focus on development, progress, and countries to achieve sustainable social and economic development. Without peace realizing development is improbable.
In a peaceful environment, businesses can flourish, investments and trade can thrive. Peace stimulates entrepreneurship, and creates employment opportunities, protects the human rights of people, prevents violent crime, which ultimately contribute to the economic development of any nations.
Strengthening social cohesion and unity is the other most important issue of peace. When conflicts and divisions are minimized, it becomes easier for diverse communities to come together, appreciate each other’s differences and work towards common goals. A peaceful and united society can harness the collective strength and talents of its citizens, leading to social progress and development. However, this will happen only when peace prevails.
As witnessed from the recent experiences of Ethiopia following the conflict outbreak in the Northern part of the country, conflict has caused considerable social and economic bankruptcy on the nation.
In fact, peace will not be achieved by a single entity; but demands the involvements and efforts of everyone. Especially, the active participation, commitment and energy of the young people is crucial to ensuring lasting peace.
Recently, the incalculable role of young people in defending and building lasting peace and accelerating Ethiopia’s prosperity was emphasized.
This was revealed at a conference held in relation to the International Day of Peace. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Youth Council, aimed at to increase the awareness of the young generation about peace, to let them understand the core essence of peace, and enable them contribute their significant share in the inclusive nation building.
In her message conveyed to the youth, Minister’s Office Head with the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, Etagegne Assefa, said that the young generation, aside from generating ideas for all problems that may arise in Ethiopia and threaten nation’s peace and challenge its development, should always use dialogue as the viable means to find lasting solutions to differences.
Young people, understanding that a bigotry attitude is a threat to the country’s peace and the unity and solidarity of the people, should be alert enough and refrain from any kind of destructive activities.
“There is nothing that cannot be resolved by discussion and dialogue. Thus, no matter in what situations or contexts we may be in, the culture of dialogue and discussions should be enriched and developed among the young people,” she remarked.
The President of the Ethiopian Youth Council President Fuad Gena, on his part said that the issue of peace is fundamental and it is the concern of all. Peace is the foundation of existence and development. Thus, the youth should play constructive role through organizing under various organizations.
Underscoring that the importance of peace to ensure citizens’ human rights, live freely in their home country, the existence of peace is crucial, the President said that “we should strive for peace and work for it.”
As to him, when peace is disrupted, infrastructures and national heritages that were built with huge capital and energy and sustained for long will be destroyed. This, in return, worsens the level of poverty. To curtail this, the young people should defend and preserve the peace.
At the conference, a number of papers that focus on youth and peace were presented. Cost of living, misinformation and fake news circulated at social media, unemployment, struggle for power, are said some among the other that cause disruption of peace.
World Peace Day has been celebrated in the month of September since 1981 in accordance with the decision of the United Nations General Assembly in order to promote peace in the world, reduce conflicts and resolve differences through dialogue.
The International Day of Peace is often associated with a dove and the olive branch symbols where the dove represents peace and freedom, while the olive branch has been a traditional symbol of peace dating back to ancient times.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023
