The United Nations recognizes International Day of Peace on September 21 of each year, a day dedicated to non-violence among all nations.
Top: A ceremonial tree planting during the commemoration of International Day of Peace; Below: participants during the dialogue session at Mipango University in Dodoma.
Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Tanzania, the UN offices, and other partnering organizations commemorated the International Day of Peace this year in Dodoma, Tanzania, with over 200 participants taking part in events over two days on the 2021 theme “Recovering Better for an Equitable and Sustainable World.”
On September 20, six schools in the city sponsored a tree-planting activity and a discussion on environmental management issues. The activities contributed to government-level efforts to turn the dry Dodoma city into a green landscape.
The next day, Suleiman Jafo, a Minister of State in the President’s Office and a member of Parliament representing Kisarawe, spoke on the importance of local governments collaborating with NGO stakeholders and the United Nations in preserving and maintaining peace, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants shared ways to move forward after the pandemic to advance sustainable development and equality. Stakeholders addressed the issues including protecting human rights, maintaining safe online spaces, and providing social education for sustaining peace in the home during the open dialogue period.
In commemoration of this year’s theme, GPF Tanzania joins the UN, governments, NGOs and religious organizations in encouraging communities to celebrate peace by standing up to hateful messages online and spreading compassion and hope as everyone recovers from the pandemic.
From left: invited dignitaries at the International Day of Peace events in Dodoma; students from area schools participate in tree planting; guest of honor Suleiman Jafo, a Minister of State in the President’s Office and a member of Parliament.
