Friendship Force’s vision is to be a leading organization in the global grassroots peace movement. We create an inclusive, intuitive, and welcoming experience for our members. Our global network connects people who value and respect diversity and believe that peace can be built one friendship at a time.
International Peace Day falls on September 21st and is a day devoted to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.” The holiday was introduced in 1981 by the United Nations, establishing a shared date for all people to commit to peacebuilding and overcoming the difficulties that can occur when we discover differences dividing us. As 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace, a theme has been chosen to reflect this accomplishment: “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.”
One significant way in which Peace Day has been celebrated since 1982 is “The Peace Wave”. This initiative is a minute of silence taken at noon in all time zones on September 21. The Peace Wave was created with the purpose of marking the day with a unitive act of peace and a moment of reflection.
If you’re interested in participating in such events, look for activities in your community such as peace education events, intercultural and interfaith dialogues, meditation and prayer, service to others or participating in community gatherings. There are obviously many different ways to engage in Peace Day, whether privately, in groups, at public events, reaching out to your former Friendship Force hosts or ambassadors (especially those you might not have contacted for a while), or however peace building looks to you as an individual.
For more information on this celebrated day and how to take part in initiatives to further peacebuilding efforts visit https://internationaldayofpeace.org/.
About Friendship Force International
Friendship Force International (FFI) is a cultural exchange organization that has brought people from all over the world of all ages, cultures, and nationalities together for almost 50 years. With a mission of promoting global understanding across the barriers that separate people, FFI has an extensive program of international exchanges many of which have a key homestay component that allows ambassadors to share a home, meals, conversation and everyday experiences. Through these unique experiences, people become friends, seeing beyond governments and borders into the heart of a country and its people. Almost one million people have participated in Friendship Force programs since the organization was founded in 1977 by Wayne Smith and introduced by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Friendship Force has more than 300 chartered clubs and programs in more than 60 countries on six continents, with more than 18,000 members worldwide. For additional information, visit www.friendshipforce.org