In 1997, the General Assembly proclaimed the year 2000 as the “International Year for a Culture of Peace”. In 1998, it proclaimed the period 2001-2010 as the “International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Children of the World.”

In 1999, The General Assembly adopted the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which serves as the universal mandate for the international community, particularly the United Nations system, to promote a culture of peace and non-violence that benefits all of humanity, including future generations.

Subsequently, The UN General Assembly, in its resolution 72/130, declared 16 May the International Day of Living Together in Peace, as a means of regularly mobilising the efforts of the international community to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity. The Day aims at upholding the desire to live and act together, being united with individual differences and diversity, in order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.

Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognise, respect and appreciate others. 16 May 2018 will be the first time marking the celebration of the International Day of Living Together in Peace, having only been officially recognised by the General Assembly in December 2017.

The Day invites countries to further promote reconciliation to help ensure peace and sustainable development, including by working with communities, faith leaders and other relevant actors, through reconciliatory measures and acts of service, for encouraging forgiveness and compassion among individuals.