Secretary Ban Ki-Moon's Statement on International Day of Peace

U N I T E D N A T I O N S SECRETARY-GENERAL Ban Ki-Moon MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 21 September 2009 The International Day of Peace is a global call for ceasefire and non-violence. It is a time to reflect on the horror and cost of war, and on our duty to resolve disputes peacefully. Most of the victims of conflict are powerless. Innocent civilians. Fathers, mothers, children. Without peace they have little hope of improving their lives. Little hope of escaping poverty. Often, those who work on behalf the powerless are also targets. Journalists, medical professionals, humanitarian workers, United Nations staff and peacekeepers have all found themselves under attack. Combatants, warlords, arms suppliers and their sponsors continue to display a cruel disrespect for life. On this International Day of Peace, I remind all of them that there is another way. A better way. The path of peace. Even where States are torn by internal strife, history shows that peace can prevail if there is sufficient will. There are many examples where the advocates of peace have successfully subdued the voices of hate. I also draw hope from the renewed engagement of the international community on the issue of nuclear disarmament.

That is why I have launched the WMD-We Must Disarm! Campaign. As long as such weapons exist, no-one is safe. On this International Day of Peace, I have a simple message for all: We Must Disarm! We must have peace.

I appeal to people throughout the world to join in this effort. Support the United Nations, and do your part for peace.

International Day of Peace Stand Out Monday

Greater Fall River Committee for Peace and Justice to hold Standout at Government Center Monday, September 21st 2009, 4-5 PM United Nations International Day of Peace International Day of Peace, the “World’s First Global Holiday”, observed every year on September 21st to coincide, approximately, with the opening of the UN General Assembly for the fall, will be observed in Fall River with a stand-out for Peace from 4-5 by the Greater Fall River Committee for Peace and Justice at the newly renovated Government Center Plaza, corner of Main and Pocasset. This year the opening of the general assembly is especially interesting, because President Obama will be addressing the gathering. The US has taken the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month and Obama has called for a high-level summit meeting on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Presidents Muammar Gadhafi of Libya and Mahmoud Achmedinejad of Iran will also address the gathering, and an important debate on global climate change is scheduled for September 22nd, hopefully leading to a deal to be signed in Copenhagen in December.   The theme of the International Day of Peace this year, as announced by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, is “WMD – We Must Disarm!” He made a video with Michael Douglas, available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht6glqMkwps&feature=channel_page Mr. Douglas has been named a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Everyone is welcome, bring your own signs and banners or hold ours. For further information call Judith Conrad at (508)674-6128 or e-mail her at Judithconrad@mindspring.com.