Dear Editor,

On this International Day of Peace, let us pledge to teach our children the value of tolerance and mutual respect. Let us invest in the schools and teachers that will build a fair and inclusive world that embraces diversity. Let us fight for peace and defend it with all our might.

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21st September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by resolution 36/67PDF document of the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its opening session, which was held annually on the third Tuesday of September. The first Peace Day was observed in September 1982.

In 2001, the General Assembly, by unanimous vote, adopted resolution 55/282PDF document, which established 21 September as an annual day of non-violence and ceasefire.

The United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.

Ban Ki-moon

UN Secretary-General