Bangladesh International Mediation Society celebrates 21 September as International Peace Day chosen by the United Nations and the UN’s initiative, which has become a tradition, with respect and sincerity. As we all know the International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.

The United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace. With the themes it chooses every year, the UN ensures that peace is transformed into a more effective, focused goal and that peace and harmony among societies are discussed over different subjects, fields, and disciplines and messages are delivered.  This year’s theme is 2020 Theme: Shaping Peace Together, due to COVID 19, with which the whole world had to fight together. Celebrates the day at BIMS by spreading compassion, kindness, and strong support for unity and the belief for Shaping Peace Together.

This year, it has been clearer than ever that we are not each other’s enemies. Rather, our common enemy is a tireless virus that threatens our health, security, and very way of life. COVID-19 has thrown our world into turmoil and forcibly reminded us that what happens in one part of the planet can impact people everywhere.

When all the world was in pandemic lockdown UN Secretary-General António Guterres called all the parties having a war to lay down their weapons since all of us need to focus on the battle against this unprecedented global pandemic.  We all needed to come together to win this new fight against the worst public health crisis in the world.

For the United Nations, 2020 was already meant to be a year of listening and learning. To mark its 75th anniversary, the UN has invited millions of people worldwide to join UN 75, the largest and furthest-reaching global conversation on building the peaceful and prosperous future that we want. As we struggle to defeat COVID-19, our voices are more important than ever. In these difficult times of physical distancing, this International Day of Peace will be dedicated to fostering dialogue and collecting ideas. The world will be invited to unite and share thoughts on how to weather this storm, heal our planet, and change it for the better. Even though we may not be able to stand next to each other, we can still dream together.

BIMS Bangladesh is ready to stand together against the common danger for itself and the whole world and to take part in the resolution of local and international disputes caused by the virus. For this reason, as a Mediation Society, it has accelerated its training and regulation studies to create fast communication and solutions. We recognize the value of healing and peace for its country and all humanity and in line with the theme of UN 2020 International Day of Peace, we can shape peace together.

Happy International Peace Day!

Mrs. Ferda Paksoy

International Spokesperson, BIMS