51³Ô¹Ï

mural
The mural at the 51³Ô¹Ï Headquarters by Spanish artist Jose Vela Zanetti illustrates mankind¡¯s enduring quest for lasting peace. Spanning more than 18 meters in length and nearly 4 meters in height, it vividly captures this universal struggle.
Photo: ?UN /John Isaac

United in differences and diversity

Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way.

The UN General-Assembly, in its , declared 16 May the International Day of Living Together in Peace, as a means of regularly mobilizing the efforts of the international community to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity. The Day aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in differences and diversity, in order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.

The Day invites countries to further promote reconciliation to help to ensure peace and sustainable development, including by working with communities, faith leaders and other relevant actors, through reconciliatory measures and acts of service and by encouraging forgiveness and compassion among individuals.

Background

Following the devastation of the Second World War, the 51³Ô¹Ï was established to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. One of its purposes is to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems, including by promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.

In 1997, the General-Assembly proclaimed - by its  ¡ª the year 2000 as the "International Year for a Culture of Peace". In 1998, it proclaimed the period 2001-2010 as the "International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Children of the World."

In 1999, The General-Assembly adopted, by , the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which serves as the universal mandate for the international community, particularly the 51³Ô¹Ï system, to promote a culture of peace and non-violence that benefits all of humanity, including future generations.

The declaration came about as a result of the long-held and cherished concept ¡ª contained within the Constitution of UNESCO ¡ª that "since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed." The Declaration embraces the principle that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process, in which dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are resolved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.

The Declaration also recognizes that to fulfill such an aspiration, there is a need to eliminate all forms of discrimination and intolerance, including those based on race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.

Portrait d'Audrey Azoulay, Directrice g¨¦n¨¦rale de l'UNESCO

In a world where conflicts are multiplying and polarizing ideas as much as societies, this Day reminds us that it is precisely when this horizon of peace seems distant that we must relentlessly build this ideal of concord and social cohesion.

Resources

Founding documents

Key Documents

 UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Saving future generations from the scourge of war was the main motivation for creating the 51³Ô¹Ï, whose founders lived through the devastation of two world wars. Since its creation, the UN has often been called upon to prevent disputes from escalating into war, or to help restore peace following the outbreak of armed conflict, and to promote lasting peace in societies emerging from wars.

 

 

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the 51³Ô¹Ï, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.