By Lilian Elena Godoy- September 21 is a day we must all remember: the International Day of Peace, established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. The aim of this day is to recognize, foster, and defend peace as a fundamental human right.
The commitment to peace belongs to all of us, regardless of age, gender, religion, or any other difference. Tolerance, respect, and empathy are not just words; they are essential principles for coexistence that we must always promote within our families, our communities, and our nations. In every space we must fight against violence, hatred, and discrimination, and in this effort, raising the awareness of our youth is vital.
Even if we live far from the wars and conflicts that cast a shadow over humanity today, we cannot allow ourselves to be indifferent to the deaths of thousands of innocents. Geographic distance cannot be an excuse for moral indifference. Being aware, speaking out, sharing, and demanding respect for life and human dignity are part of the responsibility we all carry as human beings.
Today, this message resonates even more strongly. In recent months, thousands of children have lost their lives in Gaza; their homes reduced to rubble. Women, men, and entire families have been killed, and humanitarian workers, doctors, and journalists have also fallen. The United Nations has declared a famine in Gaza, where thousands more are dying of hunger due to the severe food shortages caused by the conflict.
At this very moment, thousands of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza with an uncertain future. Between 7 October 2023 and 3 September 2025, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza, as stated by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 63,746 Palestinians have reportedly been killed. The consequences of this war, which shows no end in sight, are devastating.
There is also the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine, a war that goes against every existing international rules, undermines the basic principles of sovereignty and nationhood and awakes the pain of a not so distant past that saw over 100 million people loosing their lives to a destructive thirst for conquest. And then, there are all the forgotten wars and civil unrests across the globe. It is crucial that we remain aware and informed.
In this context, I wish to share the message of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, on the occasion of the International Day of Peace 2025:
“Our world in war is crying out for peace.
This year’s International Day of Peace urges each and every one of us to give voice to that cry.
Around the world, lives are being destroyed, childhoods extinguished, and basic human dignity degraded in the cruelty and brutality of war.
We are witnessing an explosion of conflicts.
International law is being openly violated.
And a record number of people are fleeing their homes.
All they want is peace.
Peace concerns us all. The repercussions of war are felt across the globe.
We must silence the guns. End the suffering. Build bridges. And create stability and prosperity.
Sustainable development fosters peace: nine of the ten countries facing the greatest challenges to development are mired in conflict.
And we must extinguish the racism, dehumanization, and disinformation that fuel the flames of conflict.
Instead, we must use the language of respect, open our hearts to others, and use our influence to promote peace.
Where there is peace, there is hope.
Families come together, communities are rebuilt, children learn and play.
Peace cannot wait: our work begins now.”
The International Day of Peace is an opportunity not only to reflect, but above all to act. Peace is neither a guaranteed gift nor something that can survive on indifference; it is a daily task that requires commitment, courage, and solidarity. It calls on each of us, from wherever we are, to contribute through our actions, whether great or small to building families, communities, and nations that embody tolerance, respect, and inclusion.
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Lilian Elena Godoy, is the wife of Sébastien Sigouin, High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Suriname, and CARICOM.
