Our warring world is crying out for peace.

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This year’s International Day of Peace urges each of us to give voice to that call.

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Around the world lives are being ripped apart, childhoods extinguished, and basic human dignity discarded, amidst the cruelty and degradations of war.

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We are seeing an explosion of conflict.

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International law flouted.

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And record numbers of people fleeing their homes.

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All they want is peace.

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Peace is everyone’s business. The impacts of war ripple around the world.

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We must silence the guns. End the suffering. Build bridges. And create stability and prosperity.

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Sustainable development supports peace – nine of the 10 countries struggling most with development are suffering conflict.

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And we must quell the racism, dehumanisation and misinformation that throw fuel on the fires of conflict.

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Instead, we must speak the language of respect, open our hearts to others.

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And use our influence to push for peace.

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Where we have peace, we have hope.

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Families unite, communities rebuild, children learn and play.

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Peace cannot wait – our work starts now.