World Day of Peace 2022

                   Yesterday 1st of January the world celebrated the peace. This commemorative day was created by the Catholic Church, because for the U.N. the International World Peace is 21st of September. The governments worldwide should try to spend less in weapons. We all should try to do from violence a thing of the past. For this I think a better international and national justice is essential. More economic sanctions should be implemented on countries that have ambitions on territorial expansion, such as Russia and China. In national level I think the homicides should have a hard punishment, prisoners, but especially murderers should work in prison to pay for their maintenance. This post is a summary of three articles. The first was published at   https://www.mary.org/blog/202112/world-day-peace-2022#.YdBAYjPMLIU. The second was published at   https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/peace-justice/. The third was published at   https://theowp.org/reports/what-can-we-do-to-contribute-to-world-peace/

                    For the past 55 years, the Roman Catholic Church has highlighted the fundamental, yet weighty, call to peace by celebrating World Day of Peace. Each year, on 1st, our Pope issues a World Day of Peace message inviting Catholics throughout the world to stop and learn about it and act for peace. The Peace we are invited to embrace, on this day, goes way beyond an tension of inner tranquility. It includes a willingness to enter into the contradictions and tension of injustice and brokeness in our lives, our community and our world. We are called to see, to understand, and to act in a way that ensures abundance, prosperity, and well-being for all. This is the biblical notion of shalom: abundance, prosperity, and well-being. Pope Francis states, "when in Hebrew we wish shalom, we wish for a full and prosperous life, but also according to truth and justice. The message of World Day of Peace varies from year to year. However, the theme is always fixated on creating a culture of care in our relationships. The exact focus each year changes to meet the needs and rising issues of that particular year. On January 1st, 2022 Pope Francis calls us to act for peace by reflecting on this message entitled Education, Work and Dialogue Between Generations: Tools for Building Lasting Peace. In 2022, Pope Francis invites us to consider three challenges: 1) We are invited to read the signs of the times, so that the direction of this change awakens new and old questions with which it is right and necessary to be confronted. We are called to hear the challenging facts, speak the hard truths, move towards the demanding actions. Denial is not an option for us. 2) Pope Francis seeks to answer questions about education and how it contributes to peace. 3) This message also looks at the extent to which generations are in solidarity with each other and whether governments succeed in setting a horizont of peace.                                                                                                                          Conflict, insecurity, weak institutions and limited access to justice remain a great threat to sustainable development. The number of people fleeing war, persecution and conflict exceeded 70 million in 2018, the highest level recorded by the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) in almost 70 years. In 2019, the U.N. tracked 357 killings of human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists in 47 countries. Human rights are key in shaping the pandemic response. By respecting human rights in this time of crisis, we will build more effective and inclusive solutions for the emergency of today and the recovery of tomorrow. Human rights put people centre-stage. Responses that are shaped by and respect human rights result in better outcomes in beating the pandemic, ensuring healthcare for everyone and preserve human dignity. Among the institutions most affected by corruption are the judiciary and police. Corruption, bribery, theft and tax evasion cost some US$1.26 trillion for developing countries per year, this amount of money could be used to lift those who are living on less than US$1.25 a day for at least six years. The rule of law and development have a significant interrelation and are mutually reinforcing, making it essential for sustainable development at the national and international level. Violence against children affects more than 1 billion children around the world and costs societies up to US$ 7 trillion a year. 50% of the world's children experience violence every year. 1 an 3 internet users worldwide is a child and 800 million of them use social media, any child can become victim of online violence.                                                                                                    What can we do to contribute to world peace? 1) Personal commitment to nonviolence. As an individual, we need to insist on peacefully solving any conflicts we encounter. Speak out against prejudice and discrimination; help people in trouble. You can get involved in promoting peace through communities and find a organization and be a volunteer that works towards peace. 2) The public has a right to know about wars and conflicts, what is happening, and the reasons behind it. After knowing that, the public is able to move s further step to push its government to intervene or not. 3) Worldwide democratization. There is a very little possibility a war will happen between two democratic states. Therefore, governments should promote democratic ideology. 4) Support equal opportunities and resources access. 5) Other methods such as sports and education are effective tools to develop peace and community building. 6) We can offer mental support and feel sympathy for all the people who are suffering and struggling for their lives. 7) We can reiterate how important peace is and we spread our voice to make the world hear it.