On the International Day of Living Together in Peace, we’re invited to heighten our love and gratitude for the diversity gifted to us by humanity, celebrate the idea of peaceful coexistence that we strive for, and accept this opportunity to reflect further on our abilities to listen and accept, recognise, respect, and appreciate others.
Born after humanity witnessed the horror of the wars created by their own hands, this day first and foremost encouraged us to be understanding and promote the culture of understanding and tolerance.
It aims to uphold our desire to live and act together, united in differences and diversity, to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity, and harmony. Thus, to achieve the better world we dream of, we must cultivate a culture of peaceful coexistence.
ESSENTIAL KIT FOR PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE: TO LISTEN, APPRECIATE, AND LOVE
Peace is an active presence of justice, compassion, dialogue, and opportunity. It’s when children can go to school without fear, when neighbours of different backgrounds can share a smile, listen, acknowledge, and be supportive of the needs of each other, and when communities support one another in kindness and respect.
Living together in peace, other than accepting differences, is about having the ability to listen to, recognise, respect, and appreciate others, living in a peaceful and united way. Just one simple act of kindness opens the door to achieving international cooperation, opening a pathway that assists our aspiration to solve global problems that plague everyone beyond borders. Cultivate the habit of listening, and the door to world peace opens.
And then there are other simple habits that we must cultivate, to love each of our uniqueness, to prosper both ourselves and others, to cultivate love toward one another and the diversity we’re gifted with.
After all, we’re not living in a black-and-white world. We’re living in a world full of colours.
We are those colours themselves.
It all begins with the mindset. The mindset then becomes the act. The act then becomes the culture. The culture then becomes the reality.
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” – Constitution of the United Nations
A CALL FOR THE RIGHT MINDSET AND ACTION
This day encourages us to take action, to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.
The International Day of Living Together in Peace reminds us of all the work that remains to be done to achieve and maintain peace and non-violence.
We can help ensure peace and sustainable development by working with communities, faith leaders, and other relevant actors, approaching them by listening and loving, emphasising reconciliatory measures and acts of service as the path, and encouraging forgiveness, empathy, and compassion among individuals.
We can also make a tangible impact by donating to organisations that work tirelessly to promote peace, reconciliation, and community healing around the world. By making a Goodwill Vow, the seeds of peace in someone’s life are planted and ripple outwards to entire communities.
In a world where it’s easy to feel helpless, donating is one of the most direct, powerful ways to be part of the solution.
Donate. Share. Inspire. Together, we can build a future grounded in peace.