World Peace And Understanding Day 2023: History, Significance and All You Need to Know
Last Updated: February 23, 2023, 06:00 IST
World Peace and Understanding Day is marked to commemorate the founding of one of the largest philanthropic organisations in the world. (Representative image: Shutterstock)
World Understanding and Peace Day 2023: The observance of this day also marks the formation of the Rotary club
WORLD PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING DAY 2023: World Peace and Understanding Day is commemorated on February 23, every year. It is closely linked to Rotary International, a global service organisation that is dedicated to promoting peace and understanding worldwide. The observance of this day also marks the formation of the Rotary club and hence, Rotary International plays a significant role in promoting the day. The club also has a long history of working towards peace and conflict resolution.
Formed in the early 20th century, Rotary International has lent a hand in various projects to promote international relationships, peace and harmony between countries.
Some of the most persistent issues the club works towards are promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as saving mothers and children from malnutrition and other diseases. The club is also involved in supporting education, growing local economies, and protecting the environment.
World Understanding and Peace Day: History
This day commemorates the anniversary of the formation of Rotary International. Attorney Paul Harris from Illinois organised a meeting with his three friends in a downtown office building in Chicago on February 23, 1905, where the idea of Rotary Club took shape for the first time. Together with Gustavus Loehr, Silvestor Schiele, and Hiram Shorey, Harris named the organisation as Rotary Club because their meeting locations would “Rotate”. It was a professional group representing friendly smiles and small-town values.
They officially adopted the name Rotary International in 1922. This came into being after the four men encountered fellow professionals worldwide who also supported the club’s vision of global peace and humanitarian values.
Over the years, World Peace and Understanding Day is marked to commemorate the founding of one of the largest philanthropic organisations in the world.
In 2012, the Rotarian Action Group for Peace was formed to support Rotarian peace builders. In addition, its aim was also to strengthen Rotary International as a global network of peace builders.
World Understanding and Peace Day: Significance
World Peace and Understanding Day is commemorated to emphasise the need for global unity and collaboration in creating a more peaceful and harmonious world. People from all walks of life, across the world, come together to spread the values of compassion, tolerance and harmony on this day.
It is a reminder of the need for mutual understanding and cooperation at all levels. This includes nations, communities, and individuals.
The World Understanding and Peace Day also provides people an opportunity to promote dialogue, understanding, and cooperation as means to address differences and conflicts. It is also a day that is a symbol of hope and a call to action for all individuals and institutions to work together towards a common vision: a more equitable world.
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