Peace is the condition of the finest respect for humanity, where the social, economic, political, security, and care for environment is working for all. This is not just the absence of war or conflict but rather the existence of conditions where an individual and everyone in the community can live with dignity.
Today, peace faces a new danger, the Covid-19 Pandemic, a global health crisis that threatens our health, our livelihoods, and our lives. This crisis multiplied human suffering, weaken the global economy, and ended the lives of almost a million of people around the globe. Only by working together as one can we survive and make our only planet a peaceful, prosperous, and safe for us and future generations. This time, we go hand in hand to combat this test given to us.
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has it as a 24-hour period of non-violence and cease-fire. The 2020 theme is “Shaping Peace Together.”
This year, it has been clearer than ever that we are not each other’s enemies. Rather, our common enemy is a tireless virus that threatens our health, security, and very way of life. That is why UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a global ceasefire.
But there is also more to peace than putting aside arms. True peace depends on societies being inclusive, healthy, and economically stable. It requires a predictable climate, an unpolluted environment, and solidarity across community lines.
In this new era of social distancing, we may not be able to stand together physically. But there are still things you can do from home to promote the ideals of the International Day of Peace.
On this International Day of Peace, I wish all of you to start peace within yourself, look at the things around you with positivity, harmony and serenity, and embrace Bayanihan in fighting against this crisis.
Once again, Happy International Day of Peace 2020!
ATTY. MAISARA C. DANDAMUN–LATIPH
Member of Parliament–Bangsamoro Transition Authority
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
