The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly and is celebrated every year on the 21st of September.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.
In that declaration, the United Nations’ most inclusive body recognised that peace “not only is the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.”
Cultivating a Culture of Peace
Building peace & justice has been & continues to be at the heart of our work at YMCA Ireland over the past 50 years of conflict in Ireland. We believe that every YMCA should be ‘a place of welcome, opportunity, wellbeing & peace & justice for all’.
As an all-island organisation that includes many young people from post-conflict communities, it is essential that we continually work to protect peace in our country and abroad. We work to ensure that Global Justice is at the centre of our approaches to youth work, and collaborate with YMCAs across the world to learn from one another, share experiences and most importantly, take action, either as individuals or as a collective community.
YMCA Fundraiser for Camp Hope
This summer we have been fundraising for the East Jerusalem YMCA ‘Camp Hope’ and we are delighted to stand in solidarity and directly support this incredible project and our international community.
Following a month of Peace and Justice sessions with young people from across the County, as delivered by our Global Youth Work team, Cork YMCA will be hosting their first fundraiser on October 4th in Cork City with hopes of raising awareness on the situation in Palestine and exploring issues through art, music and food.
‘Camp Hope’ is being delivered by East Jerusalem YMCA to support war-affected children and young people in Bethlehem. By providing a holistic support system through this summer camp, they aim to foster resilience, healing, and a sense of community among the most vulnerable populations, while simultaneously strengthening the capabilities and impact of the East Jerusalem YMCA.
East Jerusalem YMCA focuses on serving thousands of uprooted Palestinians by providing a holistic youth development programme based on Christian ethics & values. The YMCA aims to be a safe haven for traumatised children, providing activities & community for those who need it most.
Peter Nasir, Secretary General of East Jerusalem YMCA, says “these children are given horrible opportunities in life, they need someone to care for them, to nurture them and show them they are smart and can do whatever they want to do.“
You can play your part in keeping these kids off the streets and in a safe place by donating to Camp Hope.
Learn more about our Camp Hope Fundraiser here or Donate Now
