20 Sep 2020 Statement by WACC’s General Secretary on International Day of Peace, September 21
Learning to respect and trust
If peace is a measure of a society’s ability to absorb shocks without falling or relapsing into conflict, then it must be based on trust, equality, and respect for human dignity.
Covid-19 has clearly set obstacles in the path of peace. Political and civil struggles, conflicts provoked by the climate crisis, nationalistic challenges to democracy and freedom of expression, and the global pandemic itself have weakened peaceful co-existence.
Sustainable development and peace are underpinned by affordable access to communication and information. In this respect, full social inclusion and the peaceful resolution of conflict demand respect for freedom of expression and opinion, independent and accountable media, adequate public communication spaces, and the responsible use of social media.
On International Day of Peace 2020, WACC calls for media diversity and plurality. It urges respect for communication rights as a means of tackling inequality and discrimination in order to help bring about greater stability and peace. Only through dialogue can people learn to respect and trust each other.
Photo above: Peace Bell ceremony at the UN headquarters in observance of the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21. By UN Photo/Mark Garten
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