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Augustinians Support International Day of Peace
September 21, 2011

Prayer Power for Peace

The international Augustinian Secretariate for Justice and Peace is joining with other religious organizations from around the world to promote the International Day of Peace each September 21.

September 21, 2011 is the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1981 that each September a Day of Peace shall be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

Initially the date of the Day of Peace varied, as it was observed on the opening day of the U. N. General Assembly. The U. N. in 2002 unanimously passed a resolution permanently designating September 21 of each year as the International Day of Peace.

A group of persons representing a wide variety of Christian and other religious and spiritual traditions is promoting an International Day of Peace Vigil "in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals and by all men and women who seek peace in the world."

This global 24-hour Vigil is meant to demonstrate the power of prayer and other spiritual observances in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict.

2011 Theme: ‘Make Your Voice Heard’

“Make Your Voice Heard” is the theme of International Day of Peace 2011. This theme pays tribute to the many civil society activists who lent the strength of their imagination to building peace.

In establishing this Day, the U. N. General Assembly invited all Member States, the United Nations system, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, peoples and individuals to commemorate the Day in different ways, especially through education, Kiyo Akasaka, U. N. Under-Secretary-General for Communication and Public Information, observed.

“Young women and men everywhere are demonstrating the power of connection by reaching out to each other, and rallying together, in the common cause of the dignity and human rights to which their peoples aspire,” Asasaka said. “It is in tribute to them, and the spirit they represent, that we have chosen this year, under the overall idea of Peace and Democracy, the theme of ‘Make your voice heard’.”

The Augustinian Secretariate for Justice and Peace encourages each Augustinian community and ministry to plan activities such as prayer, education or action for peace in observance of the International Day of Peace, and invites all individuals and groups who identify with Augustinian spirituality to do likewise.

International Day of Peace Prayer

       » International Day of Peace Prayer Service
             Suggested Augustinian prayers from International Justice and Peace Secretariate, Rome

Additional Resources

       » International Day of Peace Vigil (Opens new window)
             Demonstrate the power of prayer: Join this 24-hour spiritual observance for peace

       » The International Day of Peace (Opens new window)
             What it is, why it is, and how you can get involved

       » Culture of Peace Initiative (Opens new window)
             Bringing forward previously unseen and unheard voices working towards peace

       » Make Your Voice Heard (.pdf file - Opens new window)
             Theme of International Day of Peace 2011     Adobe Reader required - Get free download

       » What is the International Day of Peace? (.pdf file - Opens new window)
             Fact sheet from the United Nations     Adobe Reader required - Get free download

       » International Day of Peace on Facebook (Opens new window)
             Photos and comments about Peace Day from people around the globe

       » Thank a Peacekeeper (Opens new window)
             Watch a short video and send a brief message of gratitude to U.N. peacekeepers

Other UN Days Reflect Christian Values

      » Augustinians Support International Days
             Seven U.N. Days reflect Catholic Christian values