Activists Marked International Day of Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Peace activist organizations gathered in the informal Peace Building Network marked, last Friday, September 21, the International Day of Peace at the Fra Grga Martić square in front of the Sarajevo Cathedral. Activities to mark the International Day of Peace were organized in several cities and town in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Activists release pidgins on International Day of Peace (photo taken from YIHR Facebook page)

Under the motto “Peace Starts with a Smile”, peace activists sent out messages of peace and called on all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the world to live in peace, coexistence and understanding.

"It was important to mark this day in BiH because of our recent history. We are happy that close to 100 NGOs decided to take part in the promotion of peace and coexistence in BiH. It is important for citizens to see that we have more things in common than things that divide us”, said Sumka Bučan from Care International.

The activists distributed the new issue of “Mirovne novosti” magazine, leaflets, organized collection of smiles and peace messages, peace gaims, face-painging, and released balloons and pidgins.

The cyclists from the Extreme Sports Club from Vareš brought to Sarajevo the “Pledge to Peace” from Bobovac, the seat of the throne of medieval Bosnian kingdom, to Sarajevo.

In Jajce, the students of the Middle Technical School met with the children from “Bare” kindergarten. Also, the Nansen Coordination Board from Jajce presented its work and organized a round-table discussion with the teachers of language and literature and studnts from elementary and secondary schools in the area.

In Zvornik, an information stand distributed promotional materials about peace-building activities. Another information stand, in Srebrenica, promoted peace activism and information aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of peace. On Friday evening, a “Peace Concert” was held in Srebrenica with performances by groups from Srebrenica and Bratunac.

In Sanski Most and Prijedor, activists distributed the “50 ways how to build peace”, prepared by the NDC Prijedor.

The activities on the International Day of Peace were supported by USAID.

The International Day of Peace, sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1982, and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples. (Source: radiosarajevo.ba/klix.ba)