Every year on the 21^st September, the world commemorates the International Day of Peace. This is an important day for humanity. The theme for this year’s International Day of Peace is, “Recovering better for an Equitable and Sustainable World.”

We are in the midst of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic that has also affected all aspects of our lives. Children are the most affected, with millions of hours lost in schooling. The rate of school dropouts due to lack of sustenance is alarming. Families have lost their sources of livelihoods as economies are ravaged by the pandemic. We must show solidarity.

 By choosing collaboration, cooperation, sharing and promoting peace, governments together with health and research institutions have joined efforts to develop vaccines against the COVID-19 virus. We call upon all governments, businesses and institutions to ensure that vaccines reach to every corner of the world, and is available to everyone in need.

Only then can we achieve sustainable peace and development, and bring us back to the path of recovery, and the attainment of the sustainable development goals. Much, however, still needs to be done to rebuild our economies, reopen our schools and to promote equitable and dignified living for all.

“Peace is not a naïve dream. It is a light in the darkness guiding us to the only pathway for a better future for humanity. Let’s walk the pathway of peace as if our lives depended on it. Because they do.” – António Guterres, the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations

Let us commemorate this International Day of Peace by renewing our commitment to end hate crime, discrimination, exclusion, and to promote sharing, inclusivity, peaceful coexistence, and care for our children.

Happy Peace Day.

Mustafa Y. Ali, PhD
Secretary General, Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), and
Director, Arigatou International – Nairobi.