International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace is on September 21st of each year and calls for a full day of peace and ceasefire throughout the world.

In this event, the "Peace Bell" is rang at UN Headquarters. The bell is cast from coins donated by children on all continents, and considered a symbol of global solidarity. It was given as a gift by Japan, and is referred to as "a reminder of the human cost of war." The inscription on its side reads: "Long live absolute world peace."^[1]

Observance of the annual International Day of Peace is widespread across the globe. Celebrations now take place in every country.

Village cinema[]

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2008[]

In 2008 The UK's third and only official and public observation of the United Nations International Day of Peace and Non-Violence will be held in Rochdale, UK. There will be an annual Peace Parade followed by several events including, a Truce International & FC UNity Football Tournament, a Peace Poem Competition, a Bake A Cake for Peace Competition and Conflict Resolution Workshops led by Foundation for Peace - the organisation founded by Colin Parry OBE (father of Tim parry who was killed in the Warrington IRA explosion in 1993). A Peace Tree will be planted and a Peace Flag raised over the Town Hall. The day's actvities have cross-party support and involve a partnership of Truce International, FC Unity and Foundation for Peace led by Peace Parade UK with the support of Rochdale cultural services organisation Link4Life, and Rochdale & District Citizens Advice Bureau.

Recently an Early Day Motion was put forward in the House of Commons recognising the efforts of Peace Parade UK and called on the British Government to formally adopt September 21st as the U.N. International Day of Peace and Non-Violence.