Peace is a noble and necessary pursuit, and the only

practical pathway to a better, fairer world for

all people. Yet in too many places, in

too many contexts, we are

failing the cause of peace.

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The theme of this year’s International Day of Peace —

“End Racism. Build Peace.” — reminds us of

the many ways racism poisons people’s

hearts and minds and erodes

the peace we all seek.

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Racism robs people of their rights and dignity.

It inflames inequalities and mistrust. And

it pushes people apart, at a time when

we should be coming together, as

one human family, to

repair our fractured world.

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Instead of fighting each other, we should be

working to defeat our true enemies:

racism, poverty, inequality, conflict,

the climate crisis and the

COVID-19 pandemic.

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We should tear down structures that sustain

racism, and lift up human rights

movements everywhere.

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And we should drown out the vicious

voices of hate speech with a united

and sustained cry for truth,

understanding and mutual respect.

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On this important day, a time to observe 24 hours

of non-violence and cease-fire, we renew

our call for all people to do

more than lay down their weapons.

 

We call on them to re-affirm the bonds of

solidarity we share as human beings

and get down to the business of

building a better,

more peaceful world.