The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly and since 2002, the International Day of Peace has been commemorated annually every 21st of September and is dedicated to honouring and strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24 hours of non-violence and ceasefires around the world especially in active combat zones. As peacebuilders, this day is very important because it provides us with a unique opportunity to raise awareness and sensitise the public on the importance of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Currently, violent conflicts exists in different parts of the world. The International Day of Peace therefore provides us with an opportunity to renew efforts and commitments to stop the tragedy of war and make the world a better and safer place for all generations. It calls for deeper understanding and dialogue amongst those in authority and those on the margin, among religious and non-religious actors, and among all humans.
We all share a common concern for the creation of a world where racism, Xenophobia, Afrophobia, or any form of racial discrimination or intolerance play no part in your personal lives or in your relationship with others. A world where empathy and compassion overcome hatred and suspicion, a world that we can all hold dear to. Like me, I trust that you all believe in the fundamental rights, inherent dignity, and freedoms enshrined to all individuals under the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Thus, any form of racism or racial discrimination is to be treated as repugnant as it contradicts these human rights, ideas, and standards.
The theme for this year’s International Peace Day celebration “End Racism, Build Peace” is very timely and pertinent especially in a globalised world where migration has become a common practice. By racism, we mean discrimination, prejudice or antagonism by an individual, institution, or community over a person or group of persons because of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, especially one that is seen as a minority or marginalised group. Countless examples of physical, systemic, and institutional racism is present in all parts of the world and can be found in the education sector, in the workplace, in the court system, in healthcare, in law enforcement agencies, in the media, online and offline, and even in the administration of justice within society.
In fact, racism have become a global reality. Many of us here are conversant with the vicious actions or key historical tragedies that have shaped global history, which were connected to racial or ethnic discrimination. We remember the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the Jewish holocaust, colonisation, racial apartheid, genocide against indigenous, and minority population, and even the modern-day slavery taking place in different parts of the world. We all know the story of the suffering and killing of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar (Burma). We have seen in the last few years that the fight against racism is far from over either in our country or in many other parts of the world. We have all heard of the Black Life Matter Movement in the United States over the killing of George Floyd, Breoma Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and countless other Black people. I remember looking for an apartment in Ibadan last year but was denied of the house I wanted to pay for because the landlord say I am an “Igbo” and he does not want Igbo people in his compound. Just yesterday, a colleague was speaking to me about the ethnic cleaning of the Kuteb people that is currently taking place in Taraba State, to mention but a few.
We see racial profiling of people at international airports/borders, targeted police stop and search of people of colour in some countries. We see differential access to healthcare services, jobs, housing, quality education, and even access to justice. To live in peace and unity, we must realise that beyond the differences that we share- be it race, ethnicity, sex, religion, or gender, we have one thing in common, which is the fact that we are all humans residing in a shared earth. Peace is a right to which all are entitled. The responsibility of ending racism and building peace is therefore something that falls on all of us. However, peacebuilding requires more than just having good intentions. It also requires us to take effective action. What can you do to promote peace? What can you do to end racism? How can we make heard the voices of those confronted with racism and all other forms of racial discrimination? The fight against racial discrimination begins with being informed. We must continue to raise awareness and build the capacity of those around us to ensure that we all become active and positive agents of peace.
On an individual level, we can demonstrate our commitment to fighting racism by challenging and refusing racist remarks or actions in our daily lives. We must show through our actions that we respect the fundamental human rights of all. We must work towards undoing the structures that engrain racism in our midst. We can take note of the conscious and unconscious bias that we have about a particular group and work towards fixing it. We must work towards building a culture of equity, inclusion, care, empathy, tolerance, and respect for others. The fight against racism must continue until all individuals have equitable access to social justice, medical care, etc. Let us always remember that our different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives are what drive innovation and fuel our creativity. The world is a better place because such differences exists.
Let us remember that we have a voice and must be allowed to use it. As we commemorate this year’s event, I urge you to make the very best of the various platforms available to promote peace and end racism.