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This year 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights being adopted by the UN, which adds a special meaning to this year’s peace day event.
The International Day of Peace was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 to commemorate and strengthen “the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.”
The United Nations' International Day of Peace-marked every year on September 21-is a global day when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace.
Peace is one of humanity’s most precious needs. It is also the United Nations’ highest calling.
It defines our mission. It drives our discourse. And it draws together all of our worldwide work, from peacekeeping and preventive diplomacy to promoting human rights and development.
 There is special poignancy and purpose in this year's observance of the International Day of Peace. The troubling events of the last year -- the conflicts, violence and hatred, the bomb attack on the United Nations itself in Baghdad, the deep divisions among states -- have raised fundamental questions about the efforts of the international community to promote peace and well-being for all the world's people."
United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon,
21 September 2007
This work for peace is vital. But it is not easy. Indeed, in countless communities across the world, peace remains an elusive goal. From the displaced person camps of Chad and Darfur to the byways of Baghdad, the quest for peace is strewn with setbacks and suffering.
United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan
21 September 2003
Spillover effects aside, it is humanity that beckons us to react, to assist, and to never forget that peace has to be earned, and fought for, by everyone, victim or not
Nurul Izzah Anwar, daughter of former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim,
About "Creating Peace" Mariane Pearl, from France, said, "I believe world peace is a dynamic process that requires the same effort as an individual’s quest for balance and harmony. It is difficult, if not impossible, to be happy alone. Developing oneself for the benefit of others is not only the key to creating peace, but also a sure path toward individual satisfaction and toward the joy, deep and pure, to be alive".
2001 was a transformational year for International Day of Peace. The Women's Health & Economic Development Association of Nigeria (WHEDA) organized a celebration with children talking on the radio about peace and what it stands for. The children called on the government to do something about child abuse and child labor; to make education free for children at all levels and medical services free for every family; and to allow "Peace to prevail on our Mother Earth". One minute of silence was observed.
The 2005 International Day of Peace followed on the heels of a special summit of world leaders at the UN headquarters. During this high-level meeting, heads of state and government discussed strategies linking development, security, human rights and peace into a cohesive framework. It was the largest gathering of world leaders in history. In his speech, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said: "…let us pledge to do our utmost to carry out the important decisions on peace taken by last week's 2005 World Summit."
My own view point is that there should be commitment for real peace. It is not a matter of talking about peace and then secretly instigate for war.
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