Each year on September 21, organizations and individuals mark the International Day of Peace by engaging in a range of activities to highlight the importance of peacebuilding at the local, national, and international level. Peacebuilders around the world have celebrated the International Day of Peace each year since it was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981. 

The United Nations General Assembly declares this to be a day “devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.” On this day, and every day, the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) works with partners around the world to prevent, manage, and resolve international conflicts without violence.

Ambassador George Moose, vice chairman of USIP’s board of directors, on September 21, issued a statement on behalf of USIP, honoring those who work tirelessly to prevent and manage conflict around the world.

Last year, USIP commemorated this day by looking at the diverse scope of the peacebuilding activities of its partners and staff across the globe. But this year we look closer to home, recapping a full, remarkable week in the history of USIP.

This week, USIP was honored to host Nobel Peace laureate and longtime democracy champion Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for her first public event on her first trip to the U.S. since being released from house arrest in Burma in late 2010. Suu Kyi, who is now a member of Burma’s parliament and chair of the opposition National League for Democracy, thanked Americans, “who have stood by us through our hard years of struggle for democracy,” and emphasized the ongoing work of peacebuilding in her home country: “We are not yet at the end of our struggle but we are getting there.”

Profiles of other individual peacebuilders can be found in the “Witnesses to Peacebuilding” multimedia exhibit in USIP’s Global Peacebuilding Center, as well as online. USIP launched the Global Peacebuilding Center this year. Its mission is to extend USIP’s educational work to new—especially younger—audiences, introducing them to key concepts and skills in conflict management and to the challenges and importance of peacebuilding.

Today also marks the close of Jim Marshall’s first week as president of USIP. Sworn in last Friday, Marshall has already visited USIP’s offices in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. And yesterday, he condemned the incendiary trailer for an anti-Muslim film and the violent reactions it sparked around the world.

The International Day of Peace provides an opportunity for people all over the world from all walks of life to take a step to build peace – here are some of our suggestions. Tell us yours!

• For ideas to mark this day, as an individual, with your family or your community, see our “12 Ways to Build Peace.” 
• Educators will find activities to engage students in the classroom in our Peacebuilding Toolkit for Educators.
• Join our online discussion forum, and follow us on social media to stay engaged with peacebuilding every day.
• We encourage you to share your stories and photos with us, showing how you marked International Day of Peace.