Peace Day

WHAT DOES INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE MEAN TO YOU?

In 1981, the United Nations declared today, the 21st of September, as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. The ways in which people can engage in the day are endless – through thinking, speaking, acting on strengthening the ideals of peace.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INSTITUTIONALISING PEACE…

ON THE ONE HAND, WILPF IS INVOLVED AS A CONSULTATIVE BODY OF THE UNITED NATIONS (UN) AND HAS A VOICE IN OTHER SIMILAR STRUCTURED INSTITUTIONS. ITS INVOLVEMENT IN INSTITUTIONALISED METHODS OF PEACE MAKING GIVES WILPF THE CHANCE TO CHALLENGE GENDERED STRUCTURES WITHIN THESE ORGANISATIONS THEMSELVES – IF WE’RE GOING TO LISTEN TO BIG INSTITUTIONS, THEN THEY NEED TO WALK THE TALK, RIGHT?

MY TAKE ON IT

AS A SELF-IDENTIFYING WILPFER, I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED WILPF’S ABILITY TO PLAY SUCH A BIG ROLE IN MANY TYPES OF DIALOGUE WITH MANY TYPES OF PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS. I THINK THAT THIS OPENNESS IS PART OF WHAT GIVES WILPF SUCH AUTHORITY.

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

AND NOW I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN UP THE FLOOR TO YOU, FELLOW ACTIVISTS!

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE PEACE? WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE ROLE OF INSTITUTIONS IN PROMOTING PEACE? AND FINALLY, HOW WILL YOU BE SPENDING THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE?