September 21, 2012

Ambassador George Moose, vice chairman of USIP’s board of directors, released the following statement in honor of the International Day of Peace on September 21.

Thirty years ago, the world marked the International Day of Peace for the first time, pausing to reflect on the maxim offered by the United Nations that “peace must be founded therefore, if it is not to fail, on the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind.”

Although sincere efforts to achieve that solidarity have been sorely tested over the years and especially in recent days, people of good will must persevere. We must continue to strive for a “Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future,” this year’s theme for International Day of Peace.

The United States Institute of Peace is committed to finding new and innovative ways to prevent and manage international conflict and to developing capabilities for stabilizing and reconstructing nations after war. Since first becoming operational in conflict zones in the 1990s, USIP has not shied away from danger in fulfilling its mandate.

As the world witnessed last week, diplomacy and peacebuilding involve great risk. Ambassador Chris Stevens, understood that risk. He was also deeply dedicated to the people of North Africa and was willing to confront the danger if it meant advancing the cause of peace in Libya and across the region. We are inspired by his courage and commitment.

We are also inspired by the story of Aung San Suu Kyi, whom we had the privilege of hosting at USIP earlier this week. Hers is a story of persistence in the face of detention, persecution, and isolation. She speaks softly, but her message could not resound more boldly. Both Ambassador Stevens and Aung San Suu Kyui remind us that we must not be deterred in our work to secure a “sustainable peace.”