In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly declared the third Tuesday in September, the normal opening day of regular sessions at the UN General Assembly, as International Peace Day. Sponsored by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica, the day was intended to serve as a global reminder of the innumerable costs of war. The first commemoration of this day, also known as World Peace Day, took place on the third Tuesday in September, 1982. This practice continued until 2001, when a new resolution passed by the General Assembly fixed the date to 21 September, strengthening the day as a global symbol of nonviolence. International Peace Day provides a platform for hundreds of organisations worldwide to focus on issues such as global disarmament, the threat of nuclear weapons, the seismic cost of war, including the socio-economic implications and the damaging psychological effects that last long after battles have been won or lost. In contemporary Iraq, a downtrodden society faces the aftermath of two decades of invasion, occupation, bombing, torture, cultural breakdown and trauma. The ability of this society to overcome the material and psychological trauma of war is undermined by the severity of national devastation, and provides a twenty-first century example of the devastating impact of modern warfare.
The Year of Peace and Security in Africa
The African Union Assembly declared 2010 the Year of Peace and Security in Africa. According to the Ceasefire Campaign,
"this year is also the tenth anniversary of Resolution 1325, on women, peace, and security. The year provides the Continent with an opportunity to take stock of, and celebrate, its achievements in peace-building. It is also an opportunity to review current efforts with a view to strengthening them and where appropriate, launching new initiatives for peace and security."
End Conscription Campaign Virtual Exhibition
In October 1984, the End Conscription Campaign was born to voice unified opposition to increased state militarisation and the conscription of all white South African men into military service in apartheid South Africa. 25 years later, SAHA reflects on the history of the ECC in a virtual exhibition of posters, photographs and documents from that time.
Visit the ECC Virtual Exhibition
Related SAHA Collections
AL2922 :: The Chemical and Biological Warfare (CBW) Project Collection
The Chemical and Biological Warfare (CBW) Project, launched by The Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR) in April 1999, was aimed at understanding the creation, development and implementation of the apartheid era CBW programme, and at contributing to and strengthening international efforts to prevent the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. This project continued until 2002. The research project was managed by the Centre for Conflict Resolution, whose Executive Director, Laurie Nathan and Project Co-ordinator, Guy Lamb provided the support necessary for the work.Chandre Gould was the project's sole researcher.
AL2612 :: The Ceasefire Campaign Collection
The Ceasefire Campaign (a voluntary organisation) was established in August 1993 as a result of a decision taken at the 1993 Peace Festival organised by the End Conscription Campaign. Ceasefire's objectives are to work towards the demilitarisation of society, to reduce and ultimately eliminate the arms industry in South Africa and to support other organisations with similar aims. Ceasefire's activities include campaigning, lobbying, networking, research and information dissemination.