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Since the United Nations first designated September 21 as the International Day of Peace in 1981, this day has served as an opportunity to reflect, to recommit, and to work toward building a world free from violence, injustice, and inequality.
This year, the call for peace is more urgent than ever, as civilians in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine face devastating loss, displacement, hunger, and insecurity. These crises remind us that peace is not an abstract ideal, but a vital necessity.
Peace Beyond the Absence of War
Peace must not be understood only as the absence of war. True peace is broader and deeper: it includes justice, equality, and respect for human rights. It means ensuring that every person can live free from fear, hunger, and oppression.
Real peace exists when justice is accessible to all, when human rights and dignity are upheld, and when the rule of law is realized. Sustainable peace requires tolerance and coexistence with those who may hold different beliefs and perspectives. Achieving such societies depends on teaching peace, tolerance, and respect for human dignity to students and the next generation.
Theme for 2025: Act Now for a Peaceful World
This year’s theme, Act Now for a Peaceful World, emphasizes the urgent need for action in turbulent and uncertain times. Everyone has a role: from UN peacekeepers on the front lines of conflict, to teachers and students in classrooms; from political and religious leaders to citizens in local communities.
Peace is not merely a dream or an aspiration—it is a call to action. Each of us can answer that call by promoting mutual understanding, respect, and justice in our daily lives. By joining movements such as the United Nations’ “Peace Begins with Me” and by sharing messages of hope, we can inspire others to raise their voices and take part in building a more peaceful world.
Acting for peace can take many forms: challenging hate speech, confronting bullying—both online and offline—volunteering and serving communities, and supporting initiatives that promote human rights and social welfare. The UN Peacebuilding Commission, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and the recently adopted Pact for the Future all highlight a comprehensive vision of peace rooted in justice and human dignity.
Investing in Peace, Not in War
Peace cannot be achieved by increasing military budgets. Weapons may impose temporary silences, but they cannot heal wounds or build trust. Sustainable peace grows when nations invest in education, social protection, and human development. Every dollar spent on schools and universities, on dialogue, and on creating equal opportunities for women and men, plants the seeds of coexistence and reconciliation. By contrast, every dollar spent on weapons risks perpetuating cycles of violence.
A Call for Human Rights and Solidarity
On this International Day of Peace, the Roya Institute calls on governments, civil society, and individuals to commit to building peace through justice, dialogue, and education. Let us stand in solidarity with all those suffering in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond, and affirm that peace and well-being are not privileges for a small segment of humanity, but the rights of all people.
Only by choosing education over militarization, and human dignity over destruction, can we hope for a future of sustainable peace for generations to come.
On this International Day of Peace, let our actions resonate louder than our words. Together—through education, solidarity, and justice—we can build a more peaceful world for future generations.