September 21st, marks the International Day of Peace. As one of more than 200 orgaiztions, FriEnt is among the signatories of a statement calling on governments to mainstream and step up investment in peace.

NEW YORK, NY (September 20, 2021)

Over 200 international and domestic peacebuilding organizations have issued a joint statement calling on governments to work for peace. The statement highlights the need for a new global partnership to mainstream peace, justice, and inclusion central to efforts to transform our world and respond to the challenges we face. The statement asserts that peace is not an add-on: peace is the way.

The statement, released at the opening of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, calls on governments and the international community to: refocus on peace, justice and inclusion, in development, in crisis response, and in addressing the climate emergency; mainstream and step up investment in peace; prioritize inclusion and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms; and step away from securitized responses.

The statement reads, in part. “As we face the stark human-made realities of a warming planet, we must redouble our peace efforts, to help mediate and navigate the immense shifts in power and resources that will be needed to forestall further avoidable temperature rise, to prevent and resolve the conflicts that may be exacerbated or precipitated by environmental destruction; and to prepare the path to a more sustainable, peaceful, and equitable future.”

The Quaker United Nations Office in New York – an organization that works to promote peace and justice at the United Nations and other global institutions – played a key role in drafting and circulating the statement. The signatories include organizations dedicated to peace from around the world, including faith-based groups, international development agencies, policy organizations, and others.

See the complete statement and signatories here.