The  President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency  Mrs Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Saturday, September  21, 2013, as  “International Day  Of  Peace” to be observed throughout  Liberia  as a Working Holiday.

The Proclamation requests  Government Ministries and Agencies, the civil society, national and international organizations as well as learning and religious institutions, market  and  other  dwelling places  in the country to cease  their usual movement and observe  a  Minute of  Silence commencing at  12 noon  on that day.

According to the Proclamation, the  Global Theme for this year’s Peace Day is “Education For Peace”; While  the National Theme will be : “Peaceful Land: Building Peace Through Fair Land Policy”.

The release further stressed that Liberia, which was among the first fifty(50) countries to sign the Charter establishing the United Nations on 24^th October 1945, with the mandate to save further generations from the scourge of war and to promote world peace, is today among those countries benefiting from the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions around the world.

The Proclamation states that the 2013 International Day of Peace celebration holds a special significance for the Government and People of Liberia as the nation reflects on land rights and tenure as critical factors for a secure, peaceful and inclusive Liberia.

According to the Proclamation, Liberia has come to the realization that land ownership, administration and use remain challenging issues in which the nation attempts to address through a series of policies and laws intended to confront longstanding injustices to institute and promote peace, fair and just practices, adding that Education on the land rights policy has become an imperative relevant issue to the national context.

The Proclamation also urges Government Ministry and Agencies, schools and religious institution as well as citizens and foreign residents to commensurate the International Day of Peace with appropriate programs including community service projects, cultural exhibits and performances, ringing of bells and sharing the universal wish “May Peace Prevail on Earth” religious services and other educational and   public awareness activities to help spread peace in Liberia and throughout the world. 

As  the world celebrates this  year’s  International Day Of Peace ,the release discloses that  United Nations Secretary-General Ban  Ki-moon, has called  on all nations to place education at the top of their development agenda; encouraging   governments and peoples  from all spheres of life including  media, health practitioners, academics and civil society groups to support peace education  programs  aimed at  protecting students and teachers from conflicts so as to  ensure a more peaceful and inclusive society