[Edited extract of public address]
UN International Peace Day is a call for all the world's people's to pause hostilities to experience and celebrate community. It encourages family, friends and neighbours to come together and connect, whether they live next door or across the street.
"The people of the world have asked us to shine a light on a future of promise and opportunity. Member States have responded with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development... It is an agenda for people, to end poverty in all its forms. An agenda for the planet, our common home. An agenda for shared prosperity, peace and partnership."
UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 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 Day’s theme for 2016 is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.”
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were unanimously adopted by the 193 Member States of the United Nations at an historic summit of the world’s leaders in New York in September 2015. The new ambitious 2030 agenda calls on countries to begin efforts to achieve these goals over the next 15 years. It aims to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.
The Sustainable Development Goals are integral to achieving peace in our time, as development and peace are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.
“The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are our shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world's leaders and the people,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “They are a to-do list for people and planet, and a blueprint for success.”
Sustainability addresses the fundamental needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Modern challenges of poverty, hunger, diminishing natural resources, water scarcity, social inequality, environmental degradation, diseases, corruption, racism and xenophobia, among others, pose challenges for peace and create fertile grounds for conflict. Sustainable development contributes decisively to dissipation and elimination of these causes of conflict and provides the foundation for a lasting peace. Peace, meanwhile, reinforces the conditions for sustainable development and liberates the resources needed for societies to develop and prosper.
Every single one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals is a building block in the global architecture of peace. It is critical that we mobilise means of implementation, including financial resources, technology development and transfer, and capacity-building, as well as the role of partnerships. Everyone has a stake and everyone has a contribution to make.
Global Engagement in Friendly Neighborhoods
1. Commemorate Together
Share GEIFN | UN International Peace Day | WORKSHOP | Being Peace | Engaging Inner and Outer Peace | Sunday 25 September 2016 | 2-4pm (see above entry)
2. Commemorate with Wider Community
For examples, see separate listings below.
3. Sharing Ideas
If you haven't met your neighbours, take an opportunity to introduce yourself to them on Wednesday 21 September 2016.
Here are some simple ideas to get you started:
-- Smile and say 'hello'
-- Invite your neighbour over for a 'cuppa'
-- Arrange a get together at the local park - this could be a picnic or a family fun day. A list of Glen Eira parks and facilities found at
www.gleneira.vic.gov.au
-- Get active and form a walking group with your neighbours or organize a game of street cricket
-- Join a class and meet neighborhood residents at your local Neighborhood House or community learning centre
-- Offer to help a neighbour by mowing their lawn or helping with their weekly shopping
-- Volunteer in your local community. Find out local opportunities at Community Information Glen Eira 9571 7644
-- Attend a local event and invite your neighbour. Find out what's on by visiting www.gleneira.vic.gov.au
-- Share excess garden produce with your neighbours
MORE:
Website:
http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday
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| www.un.org/peaceday • #peaceday |
