This is a special day,
not a crazy day.
The 21st of September
is International Day of Peace.
The
United Nations established
this day in 1981 and it was
first celebrated in
1982.
Here, in Australia,
a plane flying overhead
is not frightening…
no bombs
are being dropped.
Kids have the freedom
t
o receive a good education
and our roads are free of landmines.
Not everyone is
as lucky.
I’ve walked through
the tiny tunnels
in Vietnam,
and wondered how the local people
lived in them for so many
years…
I wandered through Aki
Ra’s
landmine museum in Cambodia
and heard of the amazing work
he does, clearing
landmines
every day
with very primitive equipment.
Red
Hands taught me about
the induction of children
into armed gangs,
where
they are supplied drugs
until their addiction ensures they
remain with their
captives.
I’ve wandered the streets
of Northern Ireland,
and seen the remains
of
overnight battles.
I’ve seen fear and worry
in the eyes of children
from war
zones
and heard their incredible stories.
Sometimes, it’s good to be serious…
International Day of Peace is also
Global Ceasefire Day.
This day allows everyone,
everywhere to have a day away
from violence.
It is hoped war and conflict
can cease for a day…
and relief workers can
finally reach
areas they are otherwise
unable to get to.
People in these areas can be
provided with
the care
and supplies they need.
They can enjoy a day
free from the drone and whistle
of falling bombs
and the sound of gunfire.
A few facts and figures on
2 million children…
killed in conflict
in the last ten years.
(That’s almost ten times
my town’s population
killed each year… all
children.)
Over a million children
have been left orphaned…
(and many then fall
into Child Gangs,
where lives are filled with killing
and mixed drugs
or are abandoned
and left to scavenge
for food on rubbish tips.)
Over 6 million kids have been
seriously injured
or have been left
with permanent
disabilities
or scarring.
Many of these children have no
access to the equipment
and resources our children receive
to assist with their disabilities.
Over ten million children
are left with serious
psychological trauma
after living through conflict.
They are just children…
they were unlucky enough
to be born in dangerous
places.
Conflicts cost us in other ways…
environmentally – the hills of
Vietnam
are still struggling to overcome
the effects of napalm…
Women are often abused
and raped
during times of conflict…
Financially, conflicts are expensive…
And, carelessly dropped
and forgotten war equipment
and weapons can lead
to
further damage – especially
when children try to sell these
for scrap metal
and lose limbs from explosions.
I almost feel like I am in
a beauty contest…
“and, I want world peace!”
I’d love to see a day
where no battles were fought…
imagine.
Today is also
World Gratitude Day.
I’m grateful to live
in such a beautiful country.
Pictures from the
International Day of Peace
facebook
page.
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