Each year the International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed around the world on 21 September The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire This year’s theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. Fostering peace contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will create a culture of peace for all United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said War and conflict are unleashing devastation and driving tens of millions of people from their homes And even peaceful countries are gripped by gaping inequalities and political polarization." 2023 marks the mid-point in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2023 observance of the International Day of Peace coincides with the SDG summit (18 – 19 September) to mark the mid-point milestone The SDGs aim to bring us closer to having more peaceful But without the buy-in and contribution of a wide range of actors including the 1.2 billion young people alive We invite you to join the United Nations’ call to take action for peace: fight inequality 2023 is also the 75th anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide IDP 2023 encourages all youth to be ambitious in their engagement as positive and constructive social agents to join the movement to reach the SDGs and contribute to building sustainable peace Together we can help to lead our world towards a greener Premiering September 14, 2023, the "Peace Begins With Me" multimedia poem showcases a creative collaboration between Congolese peacekeeper and musician Pacifique Akilimali and Nigerian peace advocate and poet Maryam Bukar Hassan. See Michael Douglas, Nancy Ajram & others as they join UN Peacekeeping in the fight for peace Start the conversation about this year's IDP 2023 - Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. Share your thoughts using the campaign's graphic assets As we mark this International Day of Peace Conflicts driving record numbers of people from their homes This year’s theme reminds us that peace is not automatic Action to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that no one is left behind Action to end the war on our planet and its natural gifts Action to uphold and protect the human rights and dignity of every person — especially as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Action to use the timeless tools of diplomacy dialogue and collaboration to defuse tensions and end conflict And action for those millions of people living through the horrors of war Peace is not only a noble vision for humanity Our world needs peace – now more than ever and a global financial system that is outdated This year’s International Day of Peace will focus on “Actions for Peace” and how the Sustainable Development Goals are essential to preventing conflict and maintaining peace The 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace starts now let us take action now to build a more inclusive Read an interview in Africa Renewal with Florence Otedola Embrace the possible. That’s the call of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals We don’t have to wait for the future we want—we can create it right now Everyone can join the global movement for change ActNow is the United Nations campaign to inspire people to act for the Sustainable Development Goals Unity is at the heart of the SDGs because achieving any single goal requires achieving them all And this is only possible when people themselves unite for change to give humanity and our planet a beautiful We are stronger together, united in action. Register your action today and UNITE TO #Act4SDGs This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Pa.-- Titan Radio's Ben Kelly sat down with Westminster College Education Professor Todd Cole to discuss the upcoming Day of Peace in the Park on Saturday as well as the New Wilmington Rotary's projects and how to "look for the helper." Peace in the Park sponsored by New Wilmington Rotary returns on Saturday Festivities begin at 10am with arts and crafts and Titan Radio will be on hand with live music and give-aways under the borough park Amphitheater Families are encouraged to bring blankets for a picnic or just meditate on peace while local dignitaries will be sharing their own brief thoughts on what PEACE means to them It’s a very special DAY OF PEACE IN OUR COMMUNITY there are no recent results for popular videos Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution 36/37 the General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.” Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace Oakland University Budget and Transparency Reporting Oakland University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S Jeff Jones giving his presentation on the historical roots of the Russo-Ukranian War in the Collaboratory This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. The theme for the 2024 International Day of Peace (Sept 21) is "Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #Global Goals." The theme highlights the role of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in achieving lasting peace.  Zulfiya Tursunova, Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies calls for bringing constructive change from local to global guided by the Quaker Peace testimonies to address violence a historian of Russian-Soviet and Contemporary World History at UNCG will be presented by the Peace and Conflict Studies Department and the Friends Center at Guilford College The goal is to build cultures of peace to enhance global citizenship and social justice through the voices of the international communities Jeff gave a talk on "The Historical Roots of the Russo-Ukrainian War," Thursday he traced the historical roots of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War with an emphasis on developments since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1992.  Collaboratory: In this talk Jeff will highlight the importance and role of propaganda in the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989) based on one of the chapters for his upcoming book on the topic The discussion will focus on the use of propaganda posters by the mujahedeen Afghan rebels who fought against Soviet troops and the communist Afghan government of the time If you would like to keep your notes for further reference Already have an account? Log in Our movements must build a future where an arms embargo on Israel and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza is a reality The International Day of Peace is marked around the world each year on September 21 as we mourn the deaths of more than 41,000 Palestinians killed by the Israeli military I am struggling to find the words to express my grief What is there to say that has not already been said — and ignored — millions of times in these last 11 months How do we honor these lives and continue our struggle for a world where peace and justice prevail As the general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) — a Quaker organization that has worked for peace and justice for over 100 years — this is an aspiration to which I have devoted my life But after decades of U.S.-backed apartheid and months of genocide against Palestinians maintaining the hope required to mark such a day feels like an act of courage The International Day of Peace was initiated by a United Nations resolution passed in November 1981 amid the Cold War The resolution was brought by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica stating that that “peace must therefore be founded upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind.” I was a high school student at the Ramallah Friends School While I did not yet know of the newly declared Peace Day I was painfully aware of the ubiquity of violence having lived under the brutality of Israeli military occupation for most of my childhood Iraq had purchased the reactor in partnership with France ostensibly for energy production and not the development of nuclear weapons Ten Iraqis and a French engineer were killed in the attack Israel claimed that bombing the reactor was an act of self-defense In response to the bombing, the American Friends Service Committee sent a letter to heads of state in the U.S. urging them to enact an arms embargo on all weapons and nuclear materials to the Middle East The Reagan administration briefly paused the shipment of additional planes to Israel Only weeks after the Peace Day resolution was signed, Israel formally annexed the Golan Heights — part of Syria which it had occupied since 1967 — in clear violation of international law. The United Nations Security Council condemned the move but Israel continued to build settlements in the area in the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center the United Nations designated September 21 as a day of global ceasefire and nonviolence Less than two weeks later — on October 7 2001 — the United States launched a war on Afghanistan that would last more than 20 years The war initially had massive bipartisan support in the U.S. and the AFSC was one of the few national organizations publicly speaking out against the invasion early on But growing protests were ignored by those in power I was in Ramallah with my children and husband Israel had reoccupied the West Bank at the beginning of 2000 resulting in the uprising of the Palestinian people known as the Second Intifada We were surrounded by the sights and sounds of repression and violence Israeli tanks destroyed everything around us and frequent rocket fire permeated our days My eldest son was haunted by nightmares and our whole family was awoken every night by his screams maintains at least 750 military bases in 80 countries around the world Palestinians in Gaza lived for years under a brutal Israeli blockade that severely limited travel and trade and prevented reliable access to clean water and many other services for all Gaza residents Israel also launched major assaults on Gaza in 2006 killing thousands with the support of the U.S it felt like a cruel irony when I learned that the theme of this year’s Peace Day was “building a culture of peace.” But then I received a message from my colleague in Gaza He had just been distributing gifts to children as part of an educational program he helped organize in Khan Younis Our AFSC staff in Gaza have lost dozens of family members to Israel’s bombs they still have the courage to help others; by providing food they have reached over a million people in the last 11 months flown kites on the beach and helped young people deal with unimaginable trauma my colleagues have worked tirelessly to organize protests and advocacy efforts We began working in Gaza in 1948 and have worked for decades to end occupation and apartheid in Palestine our work has been focused on securing a permanent ceasefire arms to Israel and ensuring full humanitarian access to Gaza with a deep belief that together we can make positive changes against almost impossible odds I have hope in the relentless efforts of the people working to make this vision a reality It is the power of deep and actionable solidarity that sustains my faith that one day we might bring about a world where everyone has the opportunity to live and thrive And that one day we can have a Peace Day that we can truly celebrate we are witnessing a terrifying array of anti-democratic tactics to silence political opposition increase surveillance and expand authoritarian reach Truthout is appealing for your support as Trump and his sycophants crack down on political speech Nonprofits like Truthout could be caught in Trump’s crosshairs as he attacks dissenting groups with bad faith lawsuits and targeted harassment of journalists these attacks come at a time when independent journalism is most needed The right-wing corporate takeover of media has left reliable outlets few and far between with even fewer providing their work at no cost to the reader Who will be there to hold the fascists to account We ask for your support as we doggedly pursue justice through our reporting Truthout is funded overwhelmingly by readers like you Please make a tax-deductible one-time or monthly donation today Joyce Ajlouny is the general secretary of American Friends Service Committee a Quaker organization devoted to social justice As Trump and his sycophants work to silence political dissent independent media is a key part of the resistance Support our work by making a one-time or monthly donation to Truthout today many of us are probably feeling a mixture of anxiety and hope – anxious about the many crises in our nation and world In his January 1, 2025 World Day of Peace message titled “Forgive Us Our Trespasses: Grant Us Your Peace,” Pope Francis appears to have similar feelings especially hope in God that is expressed in concrete action “We wish to hear the ‘desperate plea for help’ that rises up from so many parts of our world – a plea that God never fails to hear We for our part feel bound to cry out and denounce the many situations in which the earth is exploited and our neighbors oppressed These injustices can appear at times in the form of what Saint John Paul II called “structures of sin,” which arise not only from injustice on the part of some but are also consolidated and maintained by a network of complicity: the inhuman treatment meted out to migrants the confusion willfully created by disinformation the refusal to engage in any form of dialogue and the immense resources spent on the industry of war represent a threat to the existence of humanity as a whole we desire to heed the plea of suffering humankind in order to feel called to break the bonds of injustice and to proclaim God’s justice Sporadic acts of philanthropy are not enough Cultural and structural changes are necessary so that enduring change may come about” [emphasis added] One of the many cultural and structural realities that morally demands our attention and action is the hellish military industrial complex’s determination to fuel the world’s many violent conflicts with weapons for sake of monetary profit.[1] “I also ask for a firm commitment to respect for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death so that each person can cherish his or her own life and all may look with hope to a future of prosperity and happiness for themselves and for their children it becomes hard for the young to look forward to bringing new lives into the world Here I would like once more to propose a concrete gesture that can help foster the culture of life namely the elimination of the death penalty in all nations This penalty not only compromises the inviolability of life but eliminates every human hope of forgiveness and rehabilitation Tony Magliano is an internationally syndicated Catholic social justice and peace columnist. He is available to speak at diocesan or parish gatherings. Tony can be reached at tmag6@comcast.net [1] See Pope Francis’s prayer intention for June 2017, to eliminate the arms trade, and Win Without War’s “take action” page [2] See: https://turndebtintohope.caritas.org/ [3] See: https://www.loyolapress.com/retreats/start/3minuteretreat-proclaim-peace/ Keep the conversation going in our SmartCatholics Group! You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter Tags: Hope has been a constant theme in all of Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace messages This is all the more true in his message for the 58th World Day of Peace as the Church begins the Jubilee of Hope amid an unprecedented combination of challenges facing the world today This year’s message is entitled “Forgive Us Our Debts: Grant Us Your Peace” underscoring the deep meaning of the Jubilee tradition that reminds us that we are all "in debt" to God who in His infinite mercy and love forgives our sins and calls upon us to forgive those who trespass against us the Jubilee was a special year of universal remission of sins and debts liberating the oppressed this special year of grace “is an event that inspires us to seek to establish the liberating justice of God in our world,” marred by injustices and “systemic” challenges that Saint John Paul II termed “structures of sin.” The Pope cites the inhuman treatment inflicted on migrants “the confusion wilfully created by disinformation the refusal to engage in any form of dialogue and the immense resources spent on the industry of war.” "Each of us must feel in some way responsible for the devastation to which the earth fuel the conflicts that presently plague our human family," he writes.  “Each of us must feel in some way responsible for the devastation to which the earth fuel the conflicts that presently plague our human family.” These "interconnected" challenges demand not “sporadic acts of philanthropy” but “cultural and structural changes” to “break the bonds of injustice and to proclaim God’s justice.” the Pope reminds us that everything we claim as our own is a gift from God and that therefore the resources of the earth are intended for the benefit of all humanity By losing sight of our relationship with God human interactions become tainted by the logic of exploitation and oppression This mirrors the dynamics of elites in Jesus’ time who thrived on the suffering of the poor and finds resonance in today’s globalized world which perpetuates injustices as showcased by the debt crisis trapping poorer nations in the Global South in a vicious circle of dependency and inequality “Foreign debt has become a means of control whereby certain governments and private financial institutions of the richer countries unscrupulously and indiscriminately exploit the human and natural resources of poorer countries simply to satisfy the demands of their own markets.” find themselves also forced to bear the burden of the ‘ecological debt’ incurred by the more developed countries.” Pope Francis therefore reiterates his plea for the international community to work towards forgiving foreign debt in recognition of the ecological debt existing between the North and the South of this world "The cultural and structural change needed will come about when we finally recognize that we are all sons and daughters of the one Father that we are all in his debt but also that we need one another in a spirit of shared and diversified responsibility," he writes “The cultural and structural change needed will come about when we finally recognize that we are all sons and daughters of the one Father in a spirit of shared and diversified responsibility.” As a pathway of hope during the Jubilee Year keeping in mind that “we are debtors whose debts have been forgiven.”  he renews the appeal launched by Saint John Paul II on the occasion of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 to consider substantial reductions or the outright cancellation of international debts of countries “that are in no condition to repay the amount they owe," also in light of the ecological debt the more prosperous countries owe them should be done in a “new financial framework," leading to the creation of a global financial charter “based on solidarity and harmony between peoples.” The Pope then asks for “a firm commitment to respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death” and calls for the abolition of the death penalty and promoting a culture of life that values every individual Following in the footsteps of Saint Paul VI and Benedict XVI Pope Francis reiterates his appeal to divert “at least a fixed percentage of the money” earmarked for armaments towards a global fund to eradicate hunger and foster sustainable development in poorer nations "Hope overflows in generosity; it is free of calculation but aims at one thing alone: to raise up those who have fallen to heal hearts that are broken and to set us free from every kind of bondage.," he writes “Generosity raises up those who have fallen heals hearts that are broken and sets us free from every kind of bondage.” The overarching goal of these proposals is the attainment of true and lasting peace in the world which is not merely the absence of war but a profound transformation of hearts and societies is granted by God to hearts that are “disarmed” of selfishness and hope for a better world: "May we seek the true peace that is granted to God by hearts disarmed." “May we seek the true peace that is granted by God to hearts disarmed.” fostering a deeper sense of fraternity and shared humanity Pope Francis offers the following prayer for peace: as we forgive those who trespass against us to those who let themselves be disarmed in heart to those who choose in hope to forgive the debts of their brothers and sisters to those who are unafraid to confess their debt to you and to those who do not close their ears to the cry of the poor Thank you for reading our article. 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Just click here 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a significant step reflecting global recognition of Bahrain’s leadership in promoting peace and coexistence the United Nations General Assembly has officially proclaimed 28 January as the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence spearheaded by the Kingdom of Bahrain in collaboration with allied nations was initiated by the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence The decision highlights the international community’s commitment to fostering harmony and the media to mark this significant day with meaningful activities and initiatives that reflect its spirit and key stakeholders—including civil society and the media—to observe the International Day in ways that actively foster a culture of peace the resolution calls on Member States to intensify their efforts in advancing peace and sustainable development leveraging the observance of international and national days to unite the global community in building a more harmonious and prosperous world The UN Secretary-General has been entrusted with disseminating the resolution to ensure widespread global awareness and engagement The adoption of this resolution highlights the importance of peaceful coexistence as a cornerstone for sustainable development It also reflects the Kingdom of Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and understanding as exemplified by initiatives such as the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence and collaborative programs with the United Nations-mandated University for Peace and the 1928 Institute affiliated with Oxford University These programs aim to equip young leaders with the skills to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence “This resolution reaffirms His Majesty the King’s vision of linking peaceful coexistence with the achievement of peace and development Bahrain remains committed to building bridges of cooperation and mutual respect in line with the principles of the United Nations and international charters.” He added “The King Hamad Global Center will continue to leverage this global milestone to promote dialogue Media Contact:Fatema Khalid Alnajemfatema.alnajem@khgc.org.bh+973 39090954 some world and state actors view peace through different lenses The varieties of perspectives significantly impact the global order; some result in conflicts and violence The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Peace in 1981 unanimously voted to designate the Day in 2001 as a period of non-violence and cease-fire across the world the United Nations commemorates the International Day of Peace is geared to “cultivating a culture of peace.” This is a moment to pause and remind ourselves of our purpose The fast-changing landscapes of political and economic ideologies contribute to inequalities and inequities around the world With many different views mixed with variations of ideologies there is a need to promote open dialogue so diplomacy can resolve differences There is a need to plant the seeds for non-violence according to UN Secretary General António Guterres “This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace.” A dynamic participatory process promotes active dialogue to resolve conflicts through mutual understanding and cooperation based on the declaration of the United Nations “In a world with rising geopolitical tensions and protracted conflicts there has never been a better time to remember how the UN General Assembly came together in 1999 to lay out the values needed for a culture of peace and fundamental freedoms; the promotion of non-violence through education and cooperation; commitment to peaceful settlement of conflicts; and adherence to freedom and understanding at all levels of society and among nations.” Theda Skocpol asserted that social revolutions are structural social changes accompanied by class uprisings The corners of the world remind us that peace is possible (IPDCI) promotes peace through education awareness campaigns Through its various learning concepts on public administration it allows learners from all over the world to access the very basic concept of peace Peace is a subject common to everyone but misruled by some leaders This educational platform of the IPDCI contributes to the greater aspirations of the United Nations for global peace the United Nations reminds us of its global relevance and that its existence never wavers the threat to humanity relationships among nations are more than political boundaries I witnessed how the international relations can serve as an avenue in fostering economic alliance Building economic ties would mean security through foreign and commercial investments will certainly enhance economic cooperation allowing people to foster business relations Peace can also be equated on the economic equation of a nation Given the good standing would mean a satisfaction and fulfillment the limited resources as well with the wants and needs of the cititzens and other public expressions impacts the state of the nation Koffi Annan delivered his final speech as United Nations Secretary General at the Truman Presidential Museum and Library in Independence Annan shared five lessons that will certainly impact international peace These pointers are as follows: 1) collective responsibility; (2) global solidarity; (3) the rule of law; (4) mutual accountability; (5) and multilateralism our challenge today is not to save Western civilization—or Eastern civilization and we can save it only if all peoples join together in the task.” MD does not stand behind any specific agenda and arguments to the light and see what remains valid and sound the UN Secretary-General on Friday urged everyone around the world to “cultivate a culture of peace” Speaking at the annual Peace Bell Ceremony António Guterres warned that war is spreading and new technologies are being weaponized without safeguards “International institutions must be better positioned to respond,” he stressed The Secretary-General’s appeal comes ahead of a pivotal moment for global cooperation Later this month, world leaders will gather for the Summit of the Future, a landmark event aimed at tackling pressing challenges impacting human rights, climate change and security, military technology – and efforts to get the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track we must ‘cultivate a culture of peace’,” he emphasized That, Mr. Guterres continued, is also the theme of this year’s International Day of Peace “It is a cause all us devotees of peace and justice must rally behind this day and everyday – through the Summit of the Future and beyond,” he said Establishing the International Day in 1981 the General Assembly declared that it should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly further designated the International Day as a time of non-violence; calling for ceasefires worldwide President of the 79th session of the General Assembly underscored the need to restore trust and solidarity among nations He noted conflicts and crises mounting - from Ukraine and Gaza to Sudan Haiti and elsewhere - adding that people are “desperately looking for a glimmer of hope”.“Let us ring the Peace Bell today and send a message of hope for peace Let us work towards tolerance and dialogue,” he urged we can also accelerate progress towards sustainable development and ensure universal respect for the human dignity of everyone The ceremony included the traditional ringing of the Peace Bell which was cast in the 1950s from coins and medals donated by people all over the world The Bell is rung twice a year: on the first day of spring and to commemorate the International Day for Peace The Peace Bell has also sounded on other special occasions such as on 26 April 2011 to mark 25 years since the devastating Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident The 78th session of the UN General Assembly closed on Tuesday concluding a tumultuous year in international diplomacy and underscoring the need for a collective resolve among nations to confront pressing challenges The 79th session of the UN General Assembly opened on Tuesday afternoon in New York with incoming President Philemon Yang outlining a vision of unity in diversity and calling for deeper international cooperation to tackle a host of global challenges National Day Calendar® Each year on April 29th, National Peace Rose Day honors a well-known and fruitful garden rose. Read more... National Shrimp Scampi Day on April 29th gives us a tasty way to celebrate. On this day, we honor the delicious dish of shrimp cooked with butter, garlic, lemon juice, and white wine. Learn more... National Zipper Day commemorates April 29, 1913, when the patent for the modern zipper was issued. The day celebrates something we often do not think about and may automatically take for granted. Discover more... NATIONAL HONESTY DAY Peter Roget publishes Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases. The work was the result of decades of collecting lists of words and categorizing them, much like a scientist would collect specimens. The thesaurus was more than a book of synonyms – it was a complete categorization and organization of each word by meaning. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences elects the first woman, Dr. Florence Rena Sabin to the academy. Dr. Sabin of Baltimore, Maryland was a pioneer in histology and also held the first full professorship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Roger Clemens strikes out twenty batters in a 9-inning game. He's the first Major League pitcher to accomplish this milestone. The right-hander achieved the record in a 3-1 win for the Red Sox over the Seattle Mariners. Steve Carlton of the St. Louis Cardinals held the previous record of 19 strikeouts set in 1969. Known for heading up the rivalry between two New York papers that created yellow journalism, William Randolph Hearst’s drive for sensational headlines carried beyond the ink. He also owned newsreel and movie production companies. Much to Hearst’s displeasure, in 1941, Orson Welles released Citizen Kane, a fictionalized biography of Hearst's life. The award-winning composer is known as one of the best jazz pianists of the 20th century. His career spanned more than six decades while leading jazz orchestras, playing in big bands, and earning 13 Grammy Awards. Willie Nelson’s music spans more than five decades. From "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" and "Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" to well-received acting performances, Nelson had a reputation as an outlaw country musician while raising money for Farm Aid and other charitable causes. Andre Agassi put the tennis world in the headlines during the 1990s. Winning Wimbledon and several Grand Slams, Agassi would take gold at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996. By Doug is one of the staff at National Day Calendar®. Extremely ordinary, sarcastic yet loveable and works for food. “Only from a genuine conversion on all levels – personal local and international – will true peace be able to flourish,” says the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in its statement on the theme for the 2025 World Day of Peace the Dicastery adds that peace comes not only from an end to conflicts “but also in a new reality in which wounds are healed and each person’s dignity is recognized” The World Day of Peace is observed each year on January 1 Since its establishment in 1967 by Pope St Paul VI the Popes have taken the occasion to offer magisterial reflections in Messages for the day dealing with topics such as the United Nations The theme chosen by the Holy Father for the World Day of Peace for 2025 is “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace” corresponding to “the biblical and ecclesial understanding of the Jubilee Year” In its statement, the Dicastery says the theme is inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical letters Laudato sí and Fratelli tutti “and above all by the concepts of Hope and Forgiveness a time for conversion that calls us not to condemn but instead to bring about reconciliation and peace” The Dicastery goes on to note by “considering the reality of conflicts and social sins afflicting humanity today in light of the hope inherent in the Jubilee tradition of the forgiveness of sins and the cancellation of debts together with the reflections of the Fathers of the Church in this regard concrete principles emerge that can lead to a much needed spiritual Pope Francis’ 2025 World Day of Peace Message entitled “Forgive Us Our Debts: Grant Us Your Peace” was presented in the Vatican on Thursday morning the Pope references the 2025 Jubilee Year on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” that underscores the deep meaning of the Jubilee as a special year of universal remission of sins and debts to liberate the oppressed Speakers at the press conference included Cardinal Michael Czerny Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Dignity Executive Director of Catholic Mobilizing Network a former landmine producer now working with Intersos a humanitarian organization that provides aid in particular to people whose lives are threatened by conflict Cardinal Czerny highlighted the resonances between the Message and the Jubilee Year explaining that the message integrates the biblical meanings of “sin” and “debts,” urging forgiveness He said it invites us in particular to strengthen our faith in Jesus to counter injustice and evil in the world; to commit to conversion of heart and mind guided by love and responsibility for others particularly the poor and the earth; to work for disarmament by embracing a transformative perspective that fosters unity and care calling for global actions like forgiving foreign debt and solidarity as pathways to hope and peace in a troubled world which advocates for the abolition of the death penalty in the United States noted that the Pope’s message emphasizes forgiveness as the foundation for peace She said it challenges individuals and societies to confront structures of sin and promote healing an invitation to embrace forgiveness and dismantle structures of violence to build a culture of life and peace grounded in mercy and justice the Italian former landmine producer who has transformed his life and his mission becoming an advocate for peace and responsibility reflected on how the arms trade thrives on the illusion of quick solutions perpetuating conflicts for profit while ignoring the long-term He spoke about how the Pope’s teaching highlights that war and inequality tear apart communities while benefiting a small powerful minority and that people affected by war demand justice Fontana reiterated the concept that it is those who profit from conflict who bear a moral responsibility to repair the damage and support recovery he expressed his belief that true peace requires acknowledging the world’s collective debt to war-torn communities and the commitment to pursue reconciliation The Catholic Church begins every calendar year with the World Day of Peace In 2025 it will coincide with the celebration of the Holy Year so Pope Francis chose a theme focused on hope and forgiveness Pope Francis prays the Lord's Prayer at the end of his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican in this file photo from Aug The theme the pope chose for the 2025 celebration of the World Day of Peace references the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace." (CNS photo/Lola Gomez) VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The annual celebration of the World Day of Peace during the Holy Year 2025 will be inspired by "the concepts of hope and forgiveness" -- including the forgiveness of foreign debt -- "which are at the heart of the Jubilee," the Vatican said Pope Francis has chosen "Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace" as the theme for the celebration Jan 8 from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is "a time for conversion that calls us not to condemn but instead to bring about reconciliation and peace," the dicastery said "Only from a genuine conversion on all levels -- personal local and international -– will true peace be able to flourish," the announcement said Conversion is needed "not only in the cessation of conflicts but also in a new reality in which wounds are healed and each person's dignity is recognized." The pope's message for the World Day of Peace usually is released in early December and shared with heads of state around the world by Vatican ambassadors In "Spes non Confundit" ("Hope Does Not Disappoint") Pope Francis appealed to the world's wealthiest nations to "acknowledge the gravity of so many of their past decisions and determine to forgive the debts of countries that will never be able to repay them." "If we really wish to prepare a path to peace in our world let us commit ourselves to remedying the remote causes of injustice God commanded his people to observe a jubilee as a time to restore their relationships with God including by forgiving the debts of the poor Catholic News Service has been providing complete in-depth coverage of the popes and the Vatican for more than 70 years faithful and informed connection to the Holy See Cardinal Gugerotti urged electors to draw on Eastern Christian humility and let the Spirit A Rome tailor is hoping the new pope will appear on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica wearing a cassock he sewed himself Cardinal Fernández said contempt for the poor can be masked in refined language and warns against false meritocracy that distorts.. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB’s) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy ©2025 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Made possible by funding from  Towards the end of his General Audience on Wednesday Pope Francis laid aside his prepared greetings to Italian speakers and made an off-the-cuff appeal for peace “I think of all those countries that are at war,” the Pope said Let us all do our part.” “We are not born to kill” May we find pathways of peace.” The Pope also urged all those present to “ask for peace” in their “daily prayers” He then mentioned "tormented Ukraine" as he has done at almost every single General Audience since the outbreak of war in the country Pope Francis highlighted some of the worst warzones around the globe: "Palestine You need to first accept the terms and conditions before download Subject to the Terms of usage of UN Photo UN Photo materials are available free of charge for news purposes only UN Photo materials may not be sold or redistributed to third parties without the prior written consent of the UN or the UN entity which is source of the UN Photo material All users of UN Photo materials must provide due credit to the United Nations or any UN entity source(s) in their use and broadcast of UN Photo materials United Nations Peacekeeping will commemorate the International Day of Peace with a series of live art installations hosted at the UN Headquarters in New York and in peacekeeping missions around the world The theme “Our Common Future is Peace,” taps into the power of street art to amplify voices from across the globe promoting unity and collective action for peace The campaign offers a platform for individuals to express their visions for a peaceful future connecting with the themes of the upcoming Summit of the Future which focuses on shaping a new global framework for peace UN peacekeeping has made a tangible difference in the lives of millions of people caught in conflict As world leaders gather at the Summit to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future it’s important that the communities we serve remain at the centre of all our efforts," said Jean-Pierre Lacroix Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations renowned American street artist Thomas Evans will lead Peace Day’s main artistic activation Detour will create a large-scale mural on the theme “Building a Peaceful Future Together.” Spectators will have the chance to watch the mural unfold and contribute their own messages of peace on a second The event is being held in partnership with the New York-based non-profit Street Art for Mankind. UN personnel, as well as the public, are invited to join the event at UNHQ and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) will host street art events that bring together local communities The installations will address region-specific issues such as youth engagement and will emphasize the critical role peacekeepers play in promoting peace and security in conflict-affected areas The artworks created during these activations will be displayed at UN Headquarters giving visitors an opportunity to engage with the campaign’s powerful messages They will serve as an important reminder of the shared responsibility we all bear in shaping a peaceful future More about International Day of Peace events: Join the 21 September event at UNHQ Read the press release Closing Ceremony and Awards Presentation of the Games and Capture the Moment with the UNSRC Photographic Society – May Events The 2025 edition of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation takes place during the Jubilee Year which also marks the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato si’ “Seeds of Peace and Hope” is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year’s edition The Season of Creation is an ecumenical initiative that takes place annually from September 1 (the Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) to October 4 (the feast of St the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development said the theme for the 2025 Season of Creation is "Peace with Creation," and the chosen Biblical reference for the initiative is Isaiah 32:14–18 As highlighted in the Magisterium of Pope Francis and his recent predecessors peace and care for creation share a close link as is visible in the papal messages for the World Day of Peace in 1990 and 2010 there is also a strong connection between war and degradation of our planet which is seen in the waste of resources through destruction and armaments The Dicastery's statement invited Christians to pray together so that conditions conducive to peace may be created—a lasting It noted that the metaphor of the seed indicates the need for long-term commitment while expressing hope that the seeds of peace may emerge across all continents the Interfaith Gathering for Peace was held to celebrate the International Day of Peace at a meeting center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in La Paz was declared the International Day of Peace by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly The event featured the representatives from various religious traditions the Islamic community and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Religious leaders shared brief speeches about peace and mutual understanding Area Seventy Elder Carlos Velasco extended a welcome on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ and spoke about peace from the perspective of the Christian tradition The Bolivian Interfaith Dialogue emphasizes that peace is a central value in all religions and that gatherings such as this are essential for overcoming differences and fostering mutual respect The event concluded with the reading of an Interfaith Declaration for the International Day of Peace delivered by Hugo De La Fuente on behalf of the Dialogue The declaration highlighted the importance of interfaith dialogue as a pillar for building a cohesive and peaceful society as well as government officials and national representatives demonstrated that collaboration between different faiths can be a powerful vehicle for promoting peace in times of global hardship Muslim and Jewish religions formed the Bolivian Interfaith Dialogue by convening at the Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of La Paz to celebrate the International Day of Peace The event was attended by people of various faiths including institutions representing ancestral spiritual beliefs autonomous regional and municipal governments and embassies such as those of the United States The meeting in 2023 was an opportunity for religious leaders to express the importance of peace and to condemn all forms of violence churches and spiritual traditions with a significant presence in Bolivia including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have joined the Bolivian Interfaith Dialogue the Dialogue continues to carry out various activities with the purpose of promoting peace dialogue and mutual respect amongst the different religious denominations You are about to access Constant Contacts (http://visitor.constantcontact.com) You are now leaving a website maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints We provide the link to this third party's website solely as a convenience to you and security practices that differ from those on our website By referring or linking you to this website we do not endorse or guarantee this content If you would like to stay on the page you are viewing please click Cancel To download media files, please first review and agree to the Terms of Use Download a photo or video by clicking or tapping on it To download all photos or videos related to this article select the links at the bottom of each section These events will engage diverse communities in creative expression to highlight the importance of peacebuilding as global leaders gather for the seventy-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly titled “Our Common Future is Peace,” taps into the power of street art to amplify voices from across the globe The event is being held in partnership with the New York-based non-profit Street Art for Mankind It speaks to the heart and moves humankind in a way nobody can explain Art is essential to the creation of a peaceful world,” said the Deckers to lighting of the Cauldron at Tokyo 1964 Games here are some flashbacks from the Olympic Games that exemplify how sport fosters peace and understanding as the world marks the International Day of Peace on 21 September Picture by Getty ImagesBy Evelyn Watta and Vianney DrilleEven before the official announcement It was a triumphant moment of success not only for her but more than 120 million people who have been forcibly displaced Her victory exemplified sport's widely acknowledged power to promote peace and tolerance and unify the world. As part of the efforts to mark the International Day of Peace observed on 21 September, the UN asks for a 24-hour ceasefire of all hostilities around the world. The theme for this year’s Peace Day is ‘Cultivating a culture of peace’ which draws inspiration in the belief that wars begin in the minds of humans. Hence, cultivating peace means instilling values of dialogue and mutual respect at a young age. Below, we highlight this and other memorable Olympic moments when sport transcended competition to help foster international peace and understanding. 🥇","event":null,"destination_url":"","entry_point_tag":"base","entry_point_type":"instory_campaign"}" data-tracking="click" href="https://www.olympics.com/en/sign-in?entry_point_type=instory_campaign&entry_point_tag=base&template=base&origin=https%3A%2F%2Folympics.com%2Fen%2Folympic-channel" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Olympic Membership - Free Live Stream Sports & Original Series - join now from her medal to how she earned her quota to fight at the Paris Games reminded the world that refugees can add value to society “I'm just one of millions all around the world and one of the 37 refugee Olympic athletes that were chosen to represent the refugee team in the Olympics,” she told Olympics.com “I hope I showed that even though we are given that label of refugee we are just humans and athletes just like anyone else that is representing their country.” Cindy Ngamba made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by becoming the first refugee athlete to win a medal "I showed to many refugees and athletes that through hard work dedication and discipline you can achieve what I have achieved," the inspiring boxer told us and solidarity to refugees around the world where they competed for the first time under the Refugee Olympic Team emblem they have become the embodiment of the Olympic spirit of peace and mutual respect reminding the world of the transformative power of sport From boxer Cindy Ngamba earning their first-ever medal to Dominic Lobalu narrowly missing the podium in the men's 5,000m relive the standout moments of the 37-athlete IOC Refugee Olympic Team at Paris 2024 'Refugees are and can be an enrichment not only for the Olympic movement but for all of society,' said IOC President Thomas Bach The two countries entered the Olympic stadium carrying a white flag displaying a map of the full Korean peninsula in blue Athletes from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea parade at the 2018 Opening Ceremonies But it wasn’t only Tulu’s devastating last-lap kick that captivated the world As Tulu celebrated her historic gold as the first Black African woman to win an Olympic title the silver medallist Mayer congratulated her with a hug and kiss Their warm celebration represented a unifying image of a black and white Africa coming together at the end of the apartheid era in South Africa ExclusiveEthiopia’s Derartu Tulu I Legends Live OnA look at the Olympic achievements of the first black African female gold medallist Derartu Tulu who is now leading Ethiopia’s national athletics team in the over-78kg women's category despite heavy pressure to boycott her judo match like two other athletes from the Arab nations had done against Israeli athletes earlier Arab and Muslim athletes often boycott sports competitions with Israelis as a political gesture to express solidarity with Palestinians the two athletes held hands and raised them up in the air as a show of solidarity and ignited the Olympic cauldron to mark the start of the Sydney Olympics Cathy Freeman's Olympic lighting moment is one that Australians continue to remember and proudly associate with The choice of an indigenous woman to light the Olympic Flame was a powerful sign of reconciliation for her changing country and an iconic signal to the world ExclusiveHighlightsCathy Freeman: a unique destinyA little girl from a poor background became the spokesperson of a forgotten people she was chosen to light the Olympic cauldron in Sydney in front of the whole world Olympic Magazine catches up with the sprinter A boy born on 6 August 1945 in the Hiroshima region the same day as the atomic bomb exploded in the city Japanese runner Yoshinori Sakai was that boy and at the age of 19 the amateur athlete's selection for the lighting represented the re-birth of Japan after the Second World War The official start of the Olympic Games has always been a moment that the IOC and local organisers choose to use to call for “peace and brotherhood either through the performances and speeches John Lennon’s 1971 song "Imagine" has become an unofficial way to open the Olympics Games The British singer and former member of the Beatles was the first to connect his song to the Olympic Games when he said in an interview three days before he died: "We’re not the first to say ‘Imagine No Countries’ or ‘Give Peace a Chance’ The song has been performed at the Olympic Games dating back to Atlanta 1996 including at Paris 2024 when French singer-songwriter Juliette Armanet sang a rendition of the classic after the Parade of Nations ExclusiveHighlightsOpening Ceremony Moments | Paris 2024 HighlightsHighlights of the Opening Ceremony Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies honors this year’s International Day of Peace with a special presentation from one of its own – The Honorable Chernor Bah (M.A. ‘11), Minister of Information and Civic Education in Sierra Leone, who will also receive this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award Each year the Kroc Institute pays heed to the International Day of Peace (IDOP) established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly The Institute also honors a Notre Dame graduate in peace studies annually with the Distinguished Alumni Award – someone whose career and life exemplifies the ideas of international peacebuilding Using the 2024 IDOP theme “Cultivating a Culture of Peace” as a framework Minister Bah will speak to his professional trajectory since graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a master’s degree in international peace studies He will also address his current ministerial work with civic education related to cultural renaissance and decolonization and the mindset shift necessary to rediscover our sense of identity and to see each other’s humanity "Intentional National Consciousness as critical tool for longterm Peacebuilding - A Sierra Leone case study," will discuss how national consciousness the shared sense of identity among citizens is essential for uniting a diverse nation like Sierra Leone By examining the historical challenges stemming from colonial legacies which fragment our national identity and contribute to social and political instability this lecture will explore the crucial role of constructing and socializing an intentional national consciousness in long-term peacebuilding for Sierra Leone Minister Bah will demonstrate how reconstructing these narratives purposefully and in citizen voices is critical to building a cohesive and peaceful society Drawing lessons from countries including Rwanda strategies emerge for reconstructing Sierra Leone's national consciousness through national dialogue Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link the strength (and positive peace) of a state is based on the power of its fictional narrative and the sense of ownership and pride that the citizens carry with them in their hearts Read more about Minister Bah’s career path and time at Notre Dame here » Posted In: Kroc Institute Events Kate ChesterCommunications Program Director574-631-8577cchester@nd.edu Ari WoodworthEvents Coordinator(574) 631-3237awoodwor@nd.edu Jena O'BrienSenior Communications and Digital Media Specialist574-631-3991jobrie29@nd.edu Lisa GallagherWriter and Content Specialist574-631-9370lgallag3@nd.edu Accessibility Information Peace“Creating a culture of peace”: How athletes demonstrated the unifying power of sport during Paris 2024 Paris 2024Olympic athletes call for peace from the Olympic Village – IOC President Bach: “You are the peace ambassadors of our time”  Paris 2024IOC welcomes United Nations’ solemn appeal to observe Olympic Truce for Paris 2024 Olympic Refuge FoundationSport Coach+: supporting coaches to create safe and supportive sporting environments for young people affected by displacement IOC NewsIOC launches Olympism365 Innovation Hub to support innovative sport-based development projects Paris 2024Paris 2024 to unite the world in peaceful competition and to leave a lasting social legacy Paris 2024UN General Assembly adopts Olympic Truce for Paris 2024 Olympism365International Day for Peace: how sport can be an enabler for sustainable development Paris 2024Model United Nations project highlights power of Olympic Truce for French youth ahead of Paris 2024 OpinionAbhinav Bindra: “Every child in India has something to gain from sport and the Olympic Movement” IOC NewsBeing an Olympian is much more than just excelling at sport Sport is a powerful means to build bridges bring people together and shape peace; it builds friendships and draws lines of respect across borders through the Olympic Games and its programmes sustainability and development through sport to advance the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the IOC cooperates with a wide range of organisations as well as international governmental and non-governmental institutions on projects which use sport as a tool for development National Olympic Committees (NOCs) also support these activities locally through their sports expertise and networks Several International Federations (IFs) have also developed initiatives in this field © IOC/Greg MartinThe United Nations (UN) has long recognised the contribution of sport for development and peace talking about sport as a universal language that can be a powerful tool to promote peace tolerance and understanding by bringing people together across boundaries and cultures This mirrors the overarching mission of the IOC and one of the Fundamental Principles of the Olympic Charter which is to place sport at the service of humankind contributing to building a peaceful and better world through sport the Olympic Games have the power to bring humanity a few historical milestones significantly reinforced the partnership between the IOC and the UN when the IOC and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) established an institutional partnership The UN General Assembly granted the IOC Permanent Observer status This decision enables the IOC to be directly involved in the UN Agenda and to attend UN General Assembly meetings where it can take the floor thus providing the possibility to promote sport at a new level in its capacity as Permanent Observer to the UN proposed and supported the creation of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace The day is now used to recognise sport’s role in contributing to social change and human development the UN formerly recognised the autonomy of the IOC and sport The UN Resolution acknowledges “sport as a means to promote education and highlights the important role of the IOC and the Olympic Movement in achieving these goals In December 2016, sport was once again lauded by the UN for its power to spur social change. Learn more about this UN recognition here Since 2020, the IOC has worked with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the Sport for Nature initiative, and UN Women on the Sport for Generation Equality These two documents are helping to accelerate progress and Olympic Movement action for sustainability and gender equality The IOC regularly joins the celebrations of the International Day of Peace The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire The United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities on this day and to otherwise commemorate the day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace Olympic TruceThe IOC has revived the ancient concept of the Olympic Truce that allowed participants to travel to and from the Olympic Games in total safety with a view to protecting the interests of athletes and sport in general The IOC encourages all UN Member States to sign the Olympic Truce and find peaceful and diplomatic solutions to conflicts around the world Public Affairs and Corporate Communications CommissionThe Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Commission advises the IOC Session the IOC Executive Board and the IOC President on strategies to promote the role of sport and Olympism in society and to position the IOC as a thought leader and a strong actor on the international stage around sport for development and peace in and beyond the Games International Day of Sport for Development and PeaceThe International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) on April 6 is an annual celebration of the power of sport to drive social change community development and to foster peace and understanding Subscribe to the IOC's Public Affairs newsletterIf you are interested in receiving news and updates on the International Olympic Committee’s work and activities related to public affairs please subscribe to our quarterly newsletter Pope Francis has called for a day of prayer and fasting for on October 7 the one-year anniversary of the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war “In this dramatic hour of our history,” the Pope said “while the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations,” the Christian community is reminded of its call to "put itself at the service of humanity." The Pope was speaking after Mass in St Peter’s Square for the opening of the second session of the General Assembly of the Synod He invited all the synod members to accompany him on a visit to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major on October 6 he will “address a heartfelt petition to the Virgin” for peace And let us be led by the breeze of the Spirit.” Days of fasting and prayer for warzones have been a constant throughout the pontificate of Pope Francis the Pope gathered thousands of people in St he called for prayer and fasting in DRC and South Sudan he called for prayer and fasting in Afghanistan he consecrated Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis Fox News host Jesse Watters outlined the indomitable 21st-century conservative media apparatus thusly: “What you’re seeing on the right is asymmetrical,” he said The consequence here is that for all of the chaos marking the febrile early days of Trump’s revenge our countrymen are sealed in two different planes of reality—divaricating media and long-standing consensus on what democracies need to function seems far less stressful than the one I inhabit It is a place where the president is always right When I consider the anxious dread that has infected much of the past decade to live elsewhere almost sounds like a relief So many Americans are walking this earth feeling relaxed They are savoring this Republican trifecta which continues to promise them a golden age I wanted a taste of that blissfully ignorant life I needed a break from all the apocalyptic vibes and silenced the pervasive push notifications that keep me attuned to the daily slate of outrage White House agencies and their associated MAGA partisans My collection of cranks included @WhiteHouse as well as some lower-level bureaucrats like @KariLake Naturally I followed Elon Musk—a man who has been muted on my primary account for quite some time—and I threw in @Catturd2 remains the internet’s most pervasive Trump regime booster In order to maintain the purity of the dose I avoided outwardly branded right-wing media that might still occasionally voice meek dissent most Americans interacted with political news much differently than we do now It was an aspect of life that merited attention about twice a month—except in election years—and more obsessive scrutiny made you a bit of a wonk should be heralded as one of the greatest disruptions to social rhythms in the United States in modern history at least in the sense that people like my parents suddenly became fluent in arcane legislative procedures like “the emoluments clause.” This isn’t limited to liberals as you would obviously need to be in order to grasp the chthonic plot points of the Hunter Biden laptop saga There is a lifestyle-brand blaséness to MAGA-dom that cannot be easily mirrored in the rapidly diminishing resistance 1 topic at hand is (understandably) feeling like you’re about to die It is emblematic of the great roadblock liberals have failed to navigate for three presidential administrations in a row being a Democrat isn’t perceived by the broader electorate to be very fun and that those America First tariffs the president keeps teasing will Some of the more pickled and grievance-fueled elements of MAGA-dom came through, propping up nonsensical controversies that bloom and die within the conservative ecosystem without ever breaking through to our side of the aisle. Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesperson, is all worked up about a stack of notecards Jen Psaki left behind in the White House during her brief run as Biden’s press secretary It’s a squabble that literally nobody cares about I must give Karoline Leavitt, another Trump spokesperson, credit for illuminating one fact that threw me for a loop has been asked 1,009 questions by journalists in the first month of his presidency compared with just 141 for Biden in that same timeframe but the current iteration of Trump loves to put on a press conference.) Even accommodating for the COVID measures that marked the early Biden years but even more damning is that I don’t think I would’ve been made aware of it in my liberal haunts my journey into MAGA propaganda left me with even deeper frustration with the former president than I already possessed—they’re good at that!) the public quickly determined that the information was either already widely available or redacted for victim privacy a current of outrage pulsed through my feed for the first time a woman who just hours ago was touting the president’s work ethic It reminded me of the delicate game the White House is playing MAGA partisans might be energized—and plenty indoctrinated—but they could still piss off their mercurial boss and his mercurial base with a simple misstep The Trump honeymoon could be over at any second And while existing inside of MAGA land may be a reprieve from the horror of existing outside of it The constant reaffirmations of loyalty must grow tiresome even for the most committed of Trump accessories We’ve become desensitized to the ritual by now but slobbering over an elected official—of any stripe—is With my patience for the groveling wearing thin I yearned for my ancestral home of belligerent progressives I do not consider myself a person at risk of being red-pilled Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace Public access to information is a key component of UNESCO's commitment to transparency and its accountability. Based on human rights and fundamental freedoms, the 2005 Convention ultimately provides a new framework for informed, transparent and UNESCO’s e-Platform on intercultural dialogue is designed for organizations and individuals to learn from shared knowledge or experiences from infl Established in 2002, the GEM Report is an editorially independent report, hosted and published by UNESCO. To recovery and beyond: The report takes stock of the global progress on the adoption and implementation of legal guarantees on Access to Info Addressing culture as a global public good For almost 75 years, the UNESCO Courier has served as a platform for international debates on issues that concern the entire pla Lifelong learning is key to overcoming global challenges and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. UNESCO11 November 2024By bridging the gap between science and society the day aims to engage the public in scientific discussions and highlight the impact of science on our daily lives it seeks to foster a deeper appreciation for science and its potential to address global challenges “Science is essential to peacebuilding because it offers practical sustainable solutions to contemporary global challenges science helps to mitigate the root causes of many conflicts.” Ms This year, UNESCO celebrates the World Science Day for Peace and Development 2024 is: Why Science Matters: Engaging Minds and Empowering Futures The International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) and World Science Day for Peace and Development are closely linked in their shared goal of promoting science for sustainable development and for improving populations’ lives  UNESCO has been entrusted with leading the implementation of the Decade declared by the UN General Assembly in August 2023 The Decade recognizes science as a common good for humanity and reaffirms its fundamental role in humanity's quest for a development model that improves the human condition while preserving the planet on which our very survival depends the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development “aims at finding solutions to global challenges” and “restore confidence in science and strengthen worldwide scientific cooperation”.  10 over 15 countries of the West African region have an explicit National Science Technology and Innovation (STI) policy or plan The majority of West African countries have adopted a domestic ‘digital agenda’ West African countries are hosting a growing number of technology hubs but these are struggling to raise sufficient capital.  Women still represented less than 20% of researchers in West Africa More facts and figures on science in West Africa : UNESCO SCIENCE REPORT 2021: The race against time for smarter development Chapter 18: WEST AFRICA : link: West Africa - UNESCO Bibliothèque Numérique UNESCO is organizing a webinar with experts in the field on 12 November at 1 pm UTC to highlight the significant role of science in society and in our daily lives. Click here to sign up for the webinar the United Nations invites the world to mark the International Day of Peace This year’s focus is on “Cultivating a culture of peace”.In a world mired by conflict,.. Find us on Twitter Find us on YouTubeRSS feed UNFICYP hosted an ‘artvocacy’ event in Ledra Palace Hotel where two Cypriot artists came together with young people from across the divide activists and UN peacekeepers and painted a mural in one of the walls outside the hotel to mark International Day of Peace Vicky Panagi said: “Art can bring people together Many people from the across the divide came together today to paint and get to know each other Cyprus is divided and I grew up with this division and this is something we want to end and we want the two communities to come together and live in harmony” Ramadan Nalcıoğlu added that “art is culture and culture brings people together Art is a movement for activism and art is always politics and is always a voice but by connecting people to each other it is capable of bringing peace the idea was to create a street art collective group painting experience which is historically tied to social progress and human rights The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the island together with the Mission’s Force Commander Major General Erdenebat Batsuuri joined the crowd and collaborated in painting the mural Cypriot activist Marilena Kyriacou highlighted that “this is a great initiative And I am so happy and grateful that these initiatives continue to happen being an activist in this field for so many years is that we need to focus on the importance of the intercommunal aspects of it We need to change the narratives and understand that it is not only about Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots all the people living on this island and that peace needs to be achieved for everyone Enjoying coming together with other Cypriots as well as with the UN peacekeepers Ada Olgun said: “I had the incredible opportunity to work with a team to create a mural for International Day of Peace We worked with a number of young individuals to make our ideas a reality transforming what had been empty into a symbol of peace and cooperation I met people from the UN and gained new friends which made painting the mural much more fun” The creative backbone of the initiative was to promote art as an effective element that brings people together and enables collaboration among people The theme of the mural as “Our Common Future begins with Peace” and the outline of the project came as a result of a meeting of the artists with young Cypriots to hear about their views challenges they face and how to design a future they want young Cypriot Sait Bulak said: “Today I joined this UNFICYP’s action young Cypriot Aeryn Clemenceau said: “I enjoyed participating in this event today taking part in this beautiful and constructive initiative to use art to come closer to build relationships and to cultivate peace is especially relevant in Cyprus In a world with rising geopolitical tensions and protracted conflicts there has never been a better time to remember the values needed for a culture of peace the UN commemorates the International Day of Peace This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace the United Nations’ most inclusive body recognized that peace “not only is the absence of conflict dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.” Vice-President Han Zheng called on Thursday for collaborative and coordinated actions to address mounting global problems and challenges and he reiterated China's commitment to promoting world peace Han made the remarks in a keynote speech delivered at an event marking the International Day of Peace 2024 in Jinan The International Day of Peace is observed annually around the world on Sept 21 Established in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations resolution the day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace despite differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace The event came at a moment when regional conflicts are flaring up including the Gaza conflict and the Ukraine crisis It gathered more than 180 representatives from over 100 political organizations peace groups and security think tanks from around the world Han highlighted the interconnectedness of humanity in the global village saying that the world is an indivisible community with a shared future development and win-win cooperation constitute an unstoppable global trend As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a significant player in the Global South China is committed to working with countries from around the world to uphold peace As the UN Summit of the Future is about to be held on Sunday and Monday Han underscored the need to leverage the critical role of the UN in safeguarding world peace promoting common development and collaborating to address global challenges While highlighting the significance of sustainable development as a foundation for lasting peace he called for a commitment to inclusive and balanced international development to ensure that all nations contribute to and benefit from global progress UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concerns over the security situation globally which he described as "the ultimate prize for all humanity" He called for cultivating a culture of peace Participants at the International Day of Peace event hailed the important role of the Global Development Initiative the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative in promoting global peace and development in the context of the current international landscape which are interrelated and mutually promoted set the right course for the world to address the deficits in peace development and governance and respond to common challenges vice-president of the National Assembly of Laos and president of the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity expressed appreciation for China's long-standing efforts and contributions to promoting world peace China plays a central role in addressing a range of global issues such as climate change making significant contributions to maintaining regional and international peace have created a situation in which the confidence of African countries has been raised to a higher level because they understand and appreciate that "we have a very reliable partner and friend" Pope Francis praying before the Salus Populi Romani icon at Saint Mary Major in 2019 Pope Francis has called for a day of prayer and fasting for peace on Monday the first anniversary of the start of the catastrophic conflict in the Holy Land He said: "In this dramatic hour of our history while the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations," the Christian community is reminded of its call to "put itself at the service of humanity." Speaking after Mass in St Peter's Square for the opening of the second session of the General Assembly of the Synod the Pope invited all the Synod members to accompany him on a visit to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major on Sunday he will "address a heartfelt petition to the Virgin" for peace And let us be led by the breeze of the Spirit." Cardinal Vincent Nichols has asked priests and parishioners throughout the diocese of Westminster to pray for peace next Monday in response to the increase of the intensity and scope of the conflict in Lebanon and Israel The 'Cardinal said: "I ask everyone to participate in a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world." has also invited us to mark next Monday as a day of prayer penance and fasting for peace in the Holy Land to bring our pain and our desire for peace to God.' We need to convert "I should be grateful if you could respond to these requests from the Holy Father and the Patriarch in your parish As 7 October is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary it may be that a public recitation of the Rosary would be appropriate or perhaps a time of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Those parishioners who are not able to participate in public prayers can be encouraged to pray the Rosary privately or to mark Monday in some way as a fast day "Let us keep in our prayers all who are affected by the violence in the Middle East." Pope's call for day of prayer and fasting for peace: www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-10/pope-7-october-to-be-day-of-prayer-and-fasting-for-peace.html Jerusalem: Latin Patriarch calls for day of prayer for peace: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50721 Survey reveals contrasting Christian approaches to fasting Day of prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land announces day of fasting and prayer for peace Cameroon: Easter heartbreak - A deeply moving Resurrection story from the frontline We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community As our audience increases - so do our costs You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN the 58th World Day of Peace is celebrated on the theme "Forgive us our trespasses; grant us Your peace" the Day is an invitation to prayer and reflection on this gift to be asked incessantly to promote paths oriented towards peace for all humanity “At the dawn of this New Year given to us by our heavenly Father I offer heartfelt good wishes of peace to every man and woman I think especially of those who feel downtrodden oppressed by the judgment of others and incapable of perceiving even a glimmer of hope for their own lives for this is a Year of Grace born of the Heart of the Redeemer!” the original meaning of the Jubilee – in which a ram’s horn (yobel) announced every forty-nine years a year of clemency and liberation for all the people – is the commitment to “restore the justice of God in various sectors of life.” the Jubilee is an event that urges us to seek the liberating justice of God on the whole earth,” the Pope thus recalls we cannot but think of the peoples crushed by injustice and inequality in the face of wealthy nations that exploit their wealth without regard for the condition of others: “The Jubilee event invites us to undertake various changes in order to face the current situation of injustice and inequality remembering that the goods of the earth are destined not only for some privileged people The cultural and structural change needed to surmount this crisis will come about when we finally recognize that we are all sons and daughters of the one Father that we are all in His debt but also that we need one another in a spirit of shared and diversified responsibility We will be able to rediscover once for all that we need one another” and are indebted one to another.” I would like to offer three proposals capable of restoring dignity to the lives of entire peoples and enabling them to set them out anew on the journey of hope the debt crisis can be overcome and all of us can once more realize that we are debtors whose debts have been forgiven.” with regard to international debt: “the more prosperous countries ought to feel called to do everything possible to forgive the debts of those countries that are in no condition to repay the amount they owe.” I also ask for a firm commitment to respect for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death “so that each person can cherish his or her own life and all may look with hope to a future of prosperity and happiness for themselves and for their children it becomes hard for the young to look forward to bringing new lives into the world.”  the Holy Father dares to relaunch an appeal let us use at least a fixed percentage of the money earmarked for armaments to establish a global Fund to eradicate hunger and facilitate in the poorer countries educational activities aimed at promoting sustainable development and combating climate change.” Mother Chiara Cazzuola, in her Christmas Message for 2024, “Embrace of Peace” urges to be collaborators of this advent of peace “Let us be ever more those men and women ‘on whom His favor rests’ gives passion to collaborate in the advent of His peace so that He may finally enter and take up a stable abode in this world.” This is the wish of Pope Francis: “May 2025 be a year in which peace flourishes A true and lasting peace that goes beyond quibbling over the details of agreements and human compromises May we seek the true peace that is granted by God to hearts disarmed… Disarming hearts is a job for everyone And it is also the invocation with which he concludes the Message for Peace 2025: “Lord This is my prayer to God as I now offer my cordial good wishes for the New Year to the Heads of State and Government to the leaders of International Organizations and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Kyiv ‘ready to do everything’ to end fighting after Trump cut support for Ukraine in its war with Russia Senior US and Ukrainian officials have held marathon crunch talks in Saudi Arabia focused on ending the war with Russia, aiming to build confidence despite a personal crisis between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy Although the two presidents were absent, Zelenskyy sent his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, while Trump dispatched his secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and the US national security adviser, Mike Waltz, to Jeddah. “We are ready to do everything to achieve peace,” Yermak told reporters as he arrived for the talks, held in an opulent room provided by the Gulf state. The two sides talked for about three hours in the morning before taking a break, with more meetings planned for the afternoon. During the talks, Yermak posted one line on social media: “Work in progress.” After nightfall, the two sides had not made any announcements on how long the negotiations would last. who was also in Jeddah to meet the crown prince but not in the room for the talks had said Ukraine’s position would be “fully constructive” It was expected that the Ukrainians would suggest to the Americans a one-month ceasefire in the air and at sea, if Russia agreed to the same during which time further discussions could take place on a more lasting end to the fighting which Zelenskyy has floated publicly before was designed to show the Americans that Ukraine is bringing constructive proposals to the table said Washington’s main aim was to see if Kyiv was “prepared to do difficult things like the Russians are going to have to do difficult things to end this conflict or at least pause it in some way The stakes could not be higher for Ukraine, with the prospect of US military aid and intelligence sharing being restarted if the talks go well. Trump cut off that critical support after the heated Oval Office argument in which he and his vice-president rowed with Zelenskyy in front of the world’s media Members of the US administration have suggested repeatedly that Zelenskyy should hold elections or step down Zelenskyy’s flagging ratings were boosted by his dressing down in the White House and most Ukrainians say they would not want elections while the war continues given the difficult situation at the front and exhaustion after three years of war the Ukrainian president should make every effort to mend relations with the White House Since the debacle in Washington, Ukraine has sought to flatter Trump, to prevent a peace plan from being forced upon it. Writing in the Guardian before the talks started Yermak complimented a “strong American leadership” but said “a peace must be found that is both just and sustainable” Trump’s interest in Ukraine has initially focused on a money-making scheme in which Kyiv would hand over a proportion of the country’s mineral wealth to the US It is not clear if that deal will be agreed in Jeddah After the US president dropped support for Ukraine European governments rallied behind the country but they have also put pressure on Zelenskyy to repair ties with the superpower The Guardian understands that British and French officials were particularly key in advising Kyiv on how best to put their position to the Americans is in regular contact with Yermak and visited Kyiv over the weekend Yermak said the visit was part of “joint work with partners to develop a plan for achieving a just and lasting peace” before the Saudi summit Emergency workers treat injured civilians from a building damaged by Russian shelling in Kostiantynivka Photograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesThe Polish prime minister posted a social media update on Tuesday stressing the importance of the day’s US-Ukraine talks The whole world is watching you in Jeddah today Russia has celebrated the loss of support from Ukraine’s largest, and previously steadfast, backer. While most European governments ended working ties with Vladimir Putin after the full-scale 2022 invasion Trump has been more willing to build a rapport with the Russian leader planned to visit Moscow this week to meet Putin the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said contacts between Russia and the US were now quite intensive It remains to be seen how ready Russia is for any peace deal even in the current scenario in which the Trump team seems to be requiring more sacrifices from Kyiv than Moscow Putin’s spokesperson said the signals from Washington were causing many in Moscow to rejoice but added there should not be premature celebration “You always need to hope for the best but still be prepared for the worst and we should always be ready to defend our interests,” Dmitry Peskov said at a conference in comments reported by Russia’s Kommersant newspaper “Many people are rushing to put on rose-tinted spectacles and are saying that the Americans will now stop providing weapons or have already done so that Musk will turn all the communications systems off Peskov said Moscow expected the US would inform Russia about the talks with Ukraine the Russian state news agency Tass reported Moscow has seized the moment to launch a recent offensive in the Kursk region of western Russia where it is trying to eject the Ukrainian army Russia’s defence ministry said its troops had regained more than 100 sq km (38.6 sq miles) of territory and 12 settlements in Kursk which was taken by Ukrainian forces seven months ago Kyiv has said the Kursk operation was an attempt to gain a bargaining chip in future negotiations and to force Russia to shift forces from eastern Ukraine In an attempt to put pressure on Moscow hours before the Jeddah peace talks, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow since the start of the war 1:24Ukraine launches largest drone attack on Moscow – videoThe Russian defence ministry reported 337 drones were launched at Russia overnight on Monday sparking fires and disrupting flights and train services “This is an additional signal to Putin that he should also be interested in a ceasefire in the air,” said Andriy Kovalenko a Ukrainian national security council official.