Today’s commemoration of the International Day of Peace should be a rallying point to raise awareness about the value and necessity of a conflict prevention framework coupled with arduous peace-building work especially in a diverse and multi-culturally dynamic Southeast Asian region. More so in the light of the post-September 11 global security policy of the United States, with its dubious “war on terror” now also called euphemistically as the “struggle for civilization”, and its adverse effects on the peoples in Southeast Asia. It is of great import to stress today the need for greater understanding and appreciation the value of peace-building and conflict prevention that is anchored on multi-culturalism and respect of peoples’ rights as necessary elements to attain peace and human security.
TODAY, 21 September 2006, the world celebrates the International Day of Peace. The 21^st of September was set aside as an annual day of global ceasefire and non violence by the United Nations to foster a culture of peace. Elsewhere, different organizations in more than almost all 191 UN member state countries commit themselves to mark the day in a variety of ways.
This year’s celebration is ironic as it is relevant amidst the backdrop of events unfolding in Southeast Asia. A few months ago, violence sparked by the dismissal of some 600 soldiers threatened the fragile democratic institutions of Timor-Leste and brought the world’s youngest nation on the verge of collapse. The military junta in Burma, officially known as Myanmar, continues to ignore the international clamor for democratization and has adamantly refused to release all political risoners including Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The UN Security Council’s recent decision to formally put Burma in its agenda may be a step towards finding a faster peaceful resolution of that country’s blight. Last week, the Singapore government’s draconian measures to stifle the voices of civil society and of local dissenters during the IMF-WB meetings have unmasked the ugliness of economic might without democracy. And last night, the government of Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand was deposed by military leaders who put the entire country under Martial Law. In the Philippines, this day is pregnant with chilling reminders of the evils of Martial Law and its creeping presence in the Arroyo government’s tendency to stifle political dissent as its way to hold on to power in the face of the unresolved question of legitimacy. Meanwhile, the peace talks between the largest Muslim insurgent front is about to “collapse” while that with the communist uerillas have yet to be resumed.
Such is the milieu of today’s International Peace Day in the region.
It can be remembered that the UN International Day of Peace has been celebrated since 1981. But its existence remained largely unknown and unrecognised outside the UN circles. It was not until five years ago that the UN General Assembly voted to set aside a fixed date for the Day of Peace. Since 2001, the day has been fixed on 21 September.
The UN resolution 55/282, adopted unanimously to fix a calendar date for the day, ends with a clear call for action, it “Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, regional and non-governmental organizations and individuals to commemorate, in an appropriate manner, the International Day of Peace, including through education and public awareness raising, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the establishment of the global ceasefire.”
The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict-Southeast Asia (GPPAC-SEA), an international network of civil society organizations working for conflict prevention and peace-building in the region, believe this to be a timely opportunity to generate extra awareness and interest not just in the Day of Peace, but also on issues of conflict prevention and peace-building such as those transpiring in the countries mentioned above.
Today’s commemoration of the International Day of Peace should be a rallying point to raise awareness about the value and necessity of a conflict prevention framework coupled with arduous peace-building work especially in a diverse and multi-culturally dynamic Southeast Asian region. More so in the light of the post-September 11 global security policy of the United States, with its dubious “war on terror” now also called euphemistically as the “struggle for civilization”, and its dverse effects on the peoples in Southeast Asia. It is of great import to stress today the need for greater understanding and appreciation the value of peace-building and conflict prevention that is anchored on multi-culturalism and respect of peoples’ rights as necessary elements to attain peace and human security.
On this occasion, GPPAC-SEA sees the opportunity to advance the need for an international security policy based on a broader perspective denoting conditions which make people feel secure against want, deprivation, or violence and that which puts people and the environment as central to its objectives.
Recognizing that knowledge and support for these issues remains low among the general public and many policymakers, we are engaging in collaborative effort with several international campaigns, like Peace One Day to highlight some of the many successful civil society peace-building and conflict prevention stories. GPPAC-SEA also supports the campaigns to raise awareness about the potential for conflict prevention work in general, peace education programs, and much more. GPPAC-SEA joins the bigger GPPAC network worldwide —of which there are over 1,000—in commemorating the day holding candle light vigils, peace demonstrations, concerts and performances, public debates, conferences and seminars, media campaigns, press briefings and peace rallies.
GPPAC-SEA commits itself to make this year’s celebration of the UN International Day of Peace as one significant step towards attaining a durable and lasting peace one day.
For Media Contact:
Gus Miclat
Executive Director
Initiatives for International Dialogue
27 Galaxy Street, GSIS Subdivision
8000 Matina, Davao City
telefax: 63 82 2992052
phone: 63 82 2992574-75
email: gus@iidnet.org
and
Antonio M. Manaytay
Research Officer
Initiatives for International Dialogue
Davao City, Philippines
mobile No. (+63)09187027110
email: tony@iidnet.org
Recent Comments