USC Students Celebrate International Day Of Peace

September 21st, the International Day of Peace or World Peace Day, is observed to oppose war and violence and to promote world peace. ATVN asked USC students about how they were celebrating the holiday.

International Day of Peace was first celebrated in 1982. The United Nations General Assembly established the day in a resolution sponsored by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica to strengthen the ideals of peace. Initially the date was set on the third Tuesday of September annually. It was changed to the current annual celebration date in 2001. The change went into effect in 2002. The UN General Assembly also declared it as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence.

The day has different themes every year. This year, the theme of the International Day of Peace is “Partnerships for Peace-Dignity for All”, which aims to highlight the importance of all segments of society working together to strive for peace.

“I call on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and observe a global ceasefire,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. “To them I say: stop the killings and the destruction, and create space for lasting peace.”

USC students told ATVN with whom they would make peace today.

“Today I would like to make peace with everyone that I probably have some arguments with, whether that’s roommates or friends,” USC student Janet Jaime said. “Sometimes we have some disputes. I think we should set them over. It’s about peace and try to get along.”