International Day of Peace

MBPJ partnering various NGOs groups and like-minded individual for a peaceful and harmonious World to launch the International Day of Peace Celebration on 20/9/2008 for the first time. The Day was marked with the prayer citation by various religious groups, speech by the Mayor of MBPJ, UN Peace Proclamation and the flagging of peace convoy to Taiping. International Day of Peace was proclaimed by United Nations in year 1981 in which all mankind celebrate the Day on 21st September each year with various activities.

For MBPJ, this is the first time saw the gathering of inter-generational groups with different religions, ethnic and cultural background coming together to pray for a peaceful world. In his speech, the Mayor made a commitment on behalf of MBPJ and the people of PJ for a peaceful and harmonious society. He called for greater understanding and tolerance amongst the community members in resolving disputes and petty issues, if any. For a multi-ethnic, cultural, religious and social background society of PJ, to know each other well and to interact with each other in forming an inclusive society is a prerequisite for peace building.

Local Agenda 21 PJ has certainly make a right move by conducting the Alternative Dispute Resolution Lecture for the community leaders. By teaching them the techniques and approaches, it is hope that the leaders can mediate any disputes at the neighbourhood level, the potential source for serious conflict.

It is my sincere hope that celebration of such will be promoted widely and engaged all walk of life to share the need for a peaceful society of PJ, Malaysia and the World. Certainly, we need to do so or else the divide between society with different social status, knowledge and education background, ethnic and religions will be wider and deeper. In this regard, everyone has a role to play. May I wish everyone is the Goodwill Ambassador in his own field or area of influence. Happy International Day of Peace.