International Day of Living Together in Peace, is observed annually on 16 May as a means of mobilizing the efforts of the international community to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity.

Living in peace is both an outward and an inward process. Outwardly: living in peace is a way of life in which we respect and love each other in spite of our cultural, religious, and political differences. It is about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect and appreciate others. Inwardly, each of us needs to cultivate peace.

The International Day of Living Together in Peace reminds us of all the work that remains to be done to achieve and maintain peace and non-violence. In today’s world, the importance of this work must never be underestimated and there will always be more to be done.

Living together in peace is at the core of UNESCO’s mandate; an international organisation founded after World War II, which aims to construct the defences of peace in the minds of women and men through education, science, information and culture.

The Saint Lucia National Commission for UNESCO urges all Saint Lucians to live and act together, united in differences and diversity, in order to build and sustain a world of peace, solidarity and harmony.