Peace Day 2013

Saturday, September 21st, 2013, marked the 31st Peace Day celebration. Begun in 1982 by the United Nations, the International Day of Peace signifies a demonstration from nations worldwide of the great impact of war and the constant struggle towards peace. Peace Day in 2013 is especially significant for few reasons. It marks the first dedication of Peace Day by the United Nations’ Secretary General to Peace Education, a preventative measure to reduce war in a sustainable fashion. In an effort to bring together people across the globe, focus on a preventative peace structure will open up doors into alternative manners of peace building thought. The International Day of Peace 2013 also holds a special significance for those here at the Parliamentarians Network for Conflict Prevention (PN). Referring to the Peace One Day Campaign, we asked our members to make peace with a differing parliamentarian. Following our call, our members invited 41 and counting parliamentarians to join PN, demonstrating their ability to cross boundaries and open communication between alternative perspectives. Exemplary of our members’ dedication to make peace, the following members made peace with another parliamentarian.

• Loubna Amhair MP (Morocco) made peace with Rakiya Eddarhem MP (Morocco), Jalalila Morsli MP (Morocco), and Amina Megheirbi MP (Libya).
• Dr. Franziska Brantner MEP (Germany) made peace with Tarja Cronberg MEP (Finland).
• Glen Ford MEP (United Kingdom) made peace with David Martin MEP (United Kingdom).
• Bushra Gohar (Pakistan) made peace with Dr. Fehmida Mirza MP (Pakistan).
• Farkhunda Zahra Naderi MP (Afghanistan) and Elay Ershad MP (Afghanistan) made peace with Raihana Azad MP (Afghanistan).
• State Senator Lena Taylor (United States) made peace with State Representative Melissa Sargent (United States).
• Charles Tannock MEP (United Kingdom) made peace with Tevan Poghosyan MP (Armenia).

Peace begins on an individual level, by members of our governments and parliaments taking a stand and by working together regardless of background and viewpoint. The individual efforts of these members to make peace with other legislators not only display the beginning steps toward a more peaceful world, but the initiative of global leaders to actively work towards this goal. In the world of politics that is mostly viewed as antagonistic and contentious, steps towards peace through these individuals have begun to make a beneficial difference in the lives of global citizens. What steps did you take this Peace Day in spreading the message of peace and working towards making the world a better place?

“The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.”- Tony Robbins

Photo by Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies.