International Day of Living Together in Peace 16 May

United in differences and diversity

Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way.

The UN General-Assembly, in its resolution 72/130, declared
16 May the International Day of Living Together in Peace,
 as a means of regularly mobilizing the efforts of the 
international community to promote peace, tolerance,
 inclusion, understanding and solidarity. The Day aims 
to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in 
differences and diversity, in order to build a sustainable 
world of peace, solidarity and harmony.

The Day invites countries to further promote reconciliation
 to help to ensure peace and sustainable development,
 including by working with communities, faith leaders
 and other relevant actors, through reconciliatory measures
 and acts of service and by encouraging forgiveness and compassion
 among individuals.

Background

Following the devastation of the Second World War, the United 
Nations was established to save succeeding generations from the 
scourge of war. One of its purposes is to achieve international

 cooperation in solving international problems, including by

 promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and 

for fundamental freedoms for all without 

distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.
In 1997, the General-Assembly proclaimed - by its 
resolution 52/15 — the year 2000 as the "International Year

 for a Culture of Peace". 
In 1998, it proclaimed the period 2001-2010 as the "International 

Decade for 
a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Children of the World."

In 1999, The General-Assembly adopted, by resolution 
53/243, the Declaration and Programme of Action on 
a Culture of Peace, which serves as the universal mandate
 for the international community, particularly the United Nations system, 

to promote a culture of peace and non-violence that benefits all of humanity,

 including future generations.

The declaration came about as a result of the long-held 

and cherished concept — contained within the Constitution

 of UNESCO — that "since wars begin in the minds of men,

 it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must 

be constructed." The Declaration embraces the principle

 that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but also 

requires a positive, dynamic participatory process, in which

 dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are resolved in a spirit

 of mutual understanding and cooperation.

The Declaration also recognizes that to fulfill such an aspiration, there is 

a need to eliminate all forms of discrimination and intolerance, including 

those based on race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, 

national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.