Proposed Resolution to be adopted by the General Assembly in September 2013

International Years of Peace and International Days of Peace

The General Assembly

Recalling that the promotion of peace, both at an international and a national level, is among the main

purposes of the United Nations, in conformity with its Charter.

Reaffirming that, as set forth in the preamble of the Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed, that a peace based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of Governments would not be a peace which could secure the unanimous, lasting and sincere support of the peoples of the world, and that the peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind.

Further recalling that, on the basis of similar considerations, the General Assembly established the United Nations University in 1972 and more specifically, the University for Peace in 1980 and entrusted other organs and organizations of the United Nations system with the promotion of peace, mainly through education in all its aspects.

Noting with appreciation the initiative taken by the International Association of University Presidents at its Sixth Triennial Conference, held at San Jose from 18 June to 3 July 1981, to propose the Declaration of a Peace Year, a Peace Month and a Peace Day.

Acknowledging the conclusions of the Conference that it would be appropriate to devote a specific time to concentrate the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as of the whole mankind, to promoting the ideals of peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to peace in al viable ways.

Considering that, through the declaration and proper celebration of an International Years of Peace and an International Days of Peace, it would be possible to contribute to strengthening such ideals of peace and alleviating the tensions and causes of conflict, both within and among national and peoples.

1. Invites the Economic and Social Council to consider at its first regular session of 2013, the possibility of declaring the first day of every month in the year 2014 as a peace day taking into account the urgency and special nature of such an observance as well as the guidelines for international years and anniversaries and to submit its recommendations to the Assembly at its sixty sixth session on the basis of appropriate arrangements for the timing, organization and financing of the Year.
2. Declares that the first day of every month in the year 2014 shall be officially proclaimed and observed as International Days of Peace and shall be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.
3. Invites all Member States, organs and organizations of the United Nations system, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, peoples and individuals to commemorate in an appropriate manner the International Day of Peace, especially through all means of education and to co-operate with the United Nations in the observance of that Day.