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GEIFN | AWAKENING | Peace in Conflicting Times – Commemorating UN International Day of Peace | 21 September 2025


Act Now for a Peaceful World

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.

In a time of turbulence, tumult, and uncertainty, it is critical for everyone to take concrete action to mobilize for peace.

From peacekeepers on the front lines of conflict, to community members, to students in classrooms around the world, everyone has a role to play. We must speak up against violence, hate, discrimination, and inequality; practice respect; and embrace the diversity of our world.

There are many ways to act right now. Spark conversations about the urgent need for understanding, non-violence, and disarmament. Volunteer in your community, listen to voices different from your own, challenge discriminatory language in your workplace, report bullying both online and off-line, and take the time to verify facts before you post on social media.

You can also speak up with your choices, opting to purchase items from socially-conscious brands, or donating to organizations that promote sustainability and human rights.

The United Nations also works in each of these areas, leading global efforts to advance human rights, fight climate change, and prevent and respond to conflict.

Through its Peacebuilding Commission, which is marking its twentieth anniversary in 2025, the United Nations works to address poverty, inequality, discrimination, and injustice – all potential drivers of violence. Through its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations supports countries’ efforts to increase prosperity, raise health and living standards, and end all forms of discrimination and injustice. UN peacekeepers work in difficult and dangerous conditions around the world, inspiring us all to take action.

And in its recently adopted Pact for the Future, the United Nations promised to address emerging challenges and opportunities – such as in science, technology and innovation – and support the active engagement of future generations.

The United Nations’ ActNow Campaign has helped millions of people around the globe choose issues they care about, commit to action, and track their impact. You can download the ActNow mobile app and see the difference your actions make for a more peaceful world.

All of our efforts are connected. From UN-supported health clinics to youth-led advocacy for the rights of the world’s most vulnerable, and from debates in parliaments to debates in history class, we can all do our part to build a more peaceful world.

Let our actions for peace resonate louder than words.

 2. UNHCR | UPDATING | Forcibly Displaced, Refugees & Stateless | Figures at a Glance | 12 June 2025 

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, other forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. 

As at the most recent reporting period (31 December 2024), 123.2 million people were forced to flee their homesglobally due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order.

Among them were nearly 42.7 million refugees. In addition, there were 73.5 million people displaced within the borders of their own countries (IDPs) and 8.4 million asylum-seekers. 

There are also 4.4 million stateless people, who have been denied a nationality and lack access to basic rights such as education, health care, employment and freedom of movement.

At a time when more than 1 in every 67 people on Earth has been forced to flee, our work at UNHCR is more important than ever before.

(Some Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate in Gaza have also been internally displaced. In the figures above, internally displaced Palestine refugees are counted under the figures for 'Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate' and 'IDPs', but are only counted once in the overall total of displaced people.)



Data on forced displacement and stateless populations

UNHCR tracks the number of people forced to flee and uses data and statistics to inform and optimize our work and the work of our partners to better protect, assist and provide solutions. This means that when a major displacement crisis erupts, we can predict how many people need help, what kind of help they need and how many staff we should deploy.

We release two flagship statistical reports on global forced displacement each year, the Global Trends report and the Mid-Year Trends report.

The Global Trends report is released annually in June and analyses changes and trends in forcibly displaced populations in the previous calendar year (from 1 January to 31 December). It provides key statistics on the global numbers of refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people and stateless people, as well as their main host countries and countries of origin. The figures on this page are based on the Global Trends report.

The Mid-Year Trends report is released annually In October to provide updated figures and analysis for the initial six months of the current year (from 1 January to 30 June). These figures are preliminary, and the final data is included in the subsequent Global Trends report released in June of the following year.

UNHCR updates the data on this page twice a year: 
  • In June, with official data from the end of the previous year (Global Trends report).
  • In October, with preliminary data for the first six months of the current year (Mid-Year Trends report).
 

UNHCR personnel

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. 

Formally known as the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1950 in the aftermath of the Second World War to help the millions of people who had lost their homes.

We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. 

Our vision is a world where every person forced to flee can build a better future.

For 74 years UNHCR has been safeguarding the rights of refugees.

Today, UNHCR works in 137 countries. We provide life-saving assistance, including shelter, food, water and medical care for people forced to flee conflict and persecution, many of whom have nobody left to turn to. We defend their right to reach safety and help them find a place to call home so they can rebuild their lives. Long term, we work with countries to improve and monitor refugee and asylum laws and policies, ensuring human rights are upheld.

UNHCR protects or assists 129.9 million forcibly displaced and stateless people.

In everything we do UNHCR considers refugees and those forced to flee as partners, putting those most affected at the centre of planning and decision-making.
Deni Hines and Rockmelons encouraging That Word (L.O.V.E.)

 3. GEIFN | ASPIRING | Global Engagement in Friendlier Neighbourhoods | Everyday 

GEIFN exists to promote harmony and respect for faiths, values, cultures and traditions by global engagement in friendlier neighbourhoods.

GEIFN was formed in early 2011 with representation from many faith groups. Currently in caretaker mode with Carey Rohrlach attending.
  • Promoting harmony and respect for faiths, values, cultures and traditions in our shared community.
  • Providing opportunities for dialogue, understanding, harmonious interaction, co-operative community service and events that highlight positive contributions in the community.
  • Demonstrating respect for others belief’s, cultures and traditions. This desire arises from our common humanity and our being people of faith.
  • Recognising neighbours, that we have responsibilities to ourselves, community and the world.
  • Encouraging citizens, all to put aside intolerance, prejudice and divisiveness to attain peaceful and fruitful co-existence.
  • Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of Port Phillip, Glen Eira and surrounds are the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.
  • Respecting past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions. May we find together a generous way to accommodate those in need of refuge. Let us be cool, strive individually and together to overcome inequality, violence, disengagement, tragedy and injustice wherever it may be. Let us honour, savour and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully in our place called home.
This annual supplement is a curation from information in public domain. Thankyou to all the many exemplars who have shared their aspiration, experience and results to be the peace making they wish to see in the world. Received with gratitude.

In This Section

  1. Badges
  2. Photocards
  3. Coffee Mugs
  4. Contemplations
  5. Inspirations
  6. Sharable Key Statements
  7. Collaborations
  8. Community Engages
  9. Acknowledgments
  10. Dedicating Merit and Best Wishes for Less Suffering
Consider obtaining and distributing from the growing range of collateral below. (Any receipts go towards production costs and ongoing service provision.)


 3.1  Badges

For equity: YES, I am

Description:
Size: 56mm diametre, safety-pin clasp
Pack Contains: 20
Cost: $40 per pack
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses

OR download free digital version here for adding to your documents:

 3.2  Photocards

What is reconciliation? “Rebel Talk: Readiness, Empathy, Be curious, Engage attention and Lead the way.”
– Jane Hutcheon, contemporary Hong Kong born Australian journalist & author

Description:
High quality high gloss 1 sided on photographic paper
Individual Size: 15x10cm
Pack Contains: 10 cards
Cost: $6 per pack
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses

OR download free digital version here:

 3.3  Coffee Mugs

View 1: Lost Piece in the midst of Desire, Envy, Anger, Pride and Confusion? 
View 2: Found Peace: If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.

Description: 
  • White ceramic 325ml mug with wrap-around image and red handle and inside
  • Pack Contains: 1 Mug
  • Cost: $25 ea until stocks last
  • Includes Postage to Australian Addresses

 3.4  Contemplations

Take Away Contemplation:
(Daily, before meals or anytime)

We give thanks for the precious nature
of life.

We give thanks for the precious nature 
of the lives of those we care for
and who care for us.

We give thanks for the precious nature 
of the many interconnected conditions
that come together today
to allow us to enjoy this place, 
this company, 
this purpose, 
this potential, 
this time.

We give thanks for the precious nature 
of all Teachers, Teachings and Opportunities to Share.

We give thanks for the precious nature 
of my/your/our life. 

May all beings enjoy such benefits
or if not, have less Suffering until planting the seeds for growth. 

For the benefit of all, thankyou.


Contemplating Departure:
(Daily, after meals or at the closing)

Please forgive me 
For anything I did or said 
Or failed to do or say, 
That hurt you or upset you, 
Whether I did them intentionally or unintentionally

I forgive you
For anything you did or said
Or failed to do or say
That hurt me or upset me,
Whether you did them intentionally or unintentionally

May all live in Peace, Wellbeing and Happiness


Description: 
High quality laserprinted 2 sided leaflet
Individual Size: 21x10cm
Pack Contains: 12 leafs
Cost: $6 until stocks last
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses

OR download free digital version here:

 3.5  Inspirations

Be Aspiring, Change View:
Found Peace. If it was easy then everybody would be enjoying it.

Beat Time, Check Source:
Re:lig:ion = again/back : join/unite : energy

Description:
High quality laserprinted 2 sided leaflet
Individual Size: 21x10cm
Pack Contains: 12 leafs
Cost: $6 per pack
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
OR download free digital version here:

 3.6  Sharable Key Statements

Downloadable PDFOther language translations available on website


 3.7  Collaborations


GEIFN | Global Engagement In Friendlier Neighbourhoods
Caretaker Carey Rohrlach
Tel: 0438 371 488
Email: caretaker@geifn.org

Website: www.geifn.org

a) ANYWHERE | JOINING IN | By 'humanising the other'


b) ONLINE | SUBSCRIBING | To Monthly Newsletter


c) AUSTRALIA | SHARING | GEIFN's Call for LGTBIQA+ Story Tellers for AUSSIE Stories: Downunder the Rainbow

AussieStory - Collected Video Stories of Identity, Connection and Belonging by First Nations, Settlers and Migrants Downunder the Rainbow.
Global Engagement in Friendlier Neighbourhoods (GEIFN) and I’m From Driftwood (IFD) aim to showcase diverse Australian views by sourcing and producing 8-10min 1st-Person Video Stories of LGTBIQA+ Folk from around Australia. 

Now seeking Storytellers who have demonstrated reconciliation(s) in their own life. Recordings will be done remotely through Zoom or if Melbourne based optionally in a studio. Storytellers will have opportunity to review final edit. Final edit recordings will be hosted individually on IFD website for global audience and bundled in a group of 3 for GEIFN website and local audience. 

Please feel welcome to share with your networks interested in inclusion, reconciliation and equitable coexistence.

 3.8  Community Engages


Click here for community listings on GEIFN Glog Bulletin Board.


 3.9  Acknowledgments


Reconciliation

  • GEIFN is based in City of Port Phillip, the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. Respect is offered to past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions. 
  • Services and program delivery is culturally safe to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, aesexual and questioning (LGBTIQA+).
  • May we find together a generous way to accommodate those in need of refuge. Let us be cool, strive individually and together to overcome inequality, violence, disengagement, tragedy and injustice wherever it may be. Let us honour, savor and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully with less effort in our place called home.
 

Invitation to Support Content Creators

The music/stories/videos have been sourced from public domain. If you like any of the content, please consider buying directly from online marketplaces to support creators and truth telling in the public interest.

Caretaker Disclosure

Words and concepts are conditional things that point to a 'reflection of experience'. They are limited and do not adequately describe the 'full lived experience'. Like the moon's reflection on a lake's surface, it is not the moon, nor the experience of gazing up at the darkened sky transformed by the presence of a full moon. It is in the eyes/ears/nose/mouth/touch/cognisance of the beholder.

This curation is an interpretation of the universal basis of re:lig:ion (Latin = again:uniting:energy) or bodhicitta (Sanskrit = Awakening Consciousness). This email invites a sharing of countless thoughts, words and actions wishing, causing and receiving less Suffering and more Happiness. For benefit initially of the individual increasing in beneficiaries until it includes all across the 3 times and 10 directions. Or not. As each case may be.

It is not personal, it just the way things are.


 3.10  Dedicating Merit and Best Wishes for Less Suffering

In Buddhism, the starting point is that all living things feel, and it is this capacity that perceives pleasure, pain and indifference. Not knowing which is which, the ignorant recreate, create and hold onto the illusory in an unlimited ocean of Dukkha/Samsara/dissatisfactoriness or suffering (Pali/Sanskrit/English). 

There are many ways towards a brighter world with more wisdom, compassion and non-selfishness. One way is through seeing worldly matters through Avalokiteśvara/Loving Eyes (Sanskrit/English). Alternative Sanskrit names are Padmapāṇi = Holder of the Lotus or Lokeśvara = Lord of the World.

Mantras are repeated to help focus the mind and tune the mind towards wisdom and compassion. 
Om Mani Padme Hum is the mantra of Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit) and simply means that it is wise to be kind, and it is kind to be wise. 

 May all beings have happiness, 
 May all beings be free from suffering, 
 May all beings feel an ocean of happiness and joy 
 And may we live with the good heart 
 Feeling close to all. 



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