Messages for the International Day of Peace - 21 September

Report: click here.

“The International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day.” - United Nations General Assembly, 2001, Resolution 55/282

Kick-off international campaign against violence against Children and Youth

On the International Day of Peace (21 September) United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY), with the help of YSI and No Kidding organised the kick-off of the international campaign against violence against children and Youth.

On Malieveld in The Hague a small wall was erected on which 81 children left a symbolic handprint to give peace a helping hand. Youth and parents were informed about the problem of violence against children and youth in their communities and at home. Furthermore, 131 signatures were collected in support of the campaign.

The campaign wants to raise awarenss on domestic violence, sexual violence and gang violence of which children and youth are often victim. The passers by received a “business card” with contact information of support networks and help numbers they could contact if they or a friend or neighbor would ever become a victim of violence. Violence should never stay hidden!

The campaign is a cooperation between UNOY Peacebuilder, Plan Netherlands and No Kidding and also takes place in Cameroon, the Phillipines, Mexico, Palestine and Sierra Leone. Through sport events, parades, and a film festival for youth and their parents, youth and children try to draw attention to the violence that they are often victim of.

The Youth of the World ask for better support for young victims of violence, better justice support and protection, registration of violence in the community and at home. Lastly the youth promote better education and prevention programs for youth and children how to deal with violence.

This project is supported by Plan Netherlands