Media

Today, September 21, is the International Day of Peace proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) since 1981. All nations and people are urged to commemorate the Day as an opportunity to promote peaceful resolutions of conflicts and to honour cessation of hostilities. The Day provides an opportunity for individuals, organisations and nations to create practical acts of Peace on a shared date.

On the campus of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) today, over 200 participants joined people at the UN Headquarters and different corners around the world to commemorate the Day. Across the globe, special ceremonies and activities are held by people from all walks of life to promote and live out Peace today.

In a video message showed at the Celebration Ceremony at Loke Yew Hall, UN Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon called on "world leaders and peoples around the world to join forces against conflict, poverty and hunger, and for all human rights for all".

"Together, let us send a powerful signal for peace that will be read, heard and felt around the world," he said, while asking people to join the text messaging campaign for peace launched by the UN.

Mr Khalid Malik, UN Resident Coordinator - China, officiated the introduction of the Peace Pole and ringing of Peace Bell at the ceremony. Together with Dr Albert Wong, District Governor of Rotary International District 3450, and Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, Vice-Chancellor of HKU, Mr Malik led the participants to observe one-minute silence.

In his address, Mr Malik thanked joint organizers of the activities -- HKU and the Rotary International District 3450 (Hong Kong, Macau & Mongolia) -- for their enthusiasm towards acting for peace. The activities are supported by the Peace International Foundation.

He urged Hong Kong to do even more towards promoting global peace and development by contributing to poverty and disaster relief, shaping global solutions for global problems like climate change, and strengthening support towards UN programmes in the Mainland China.

Professor Tsui said the International Day of Peace indeed echoes well what the HKU family has been doing for nearly a century. He said HKU community, through research, education, service-learning and alumni network, has developed solutions for common problems faced throughout humanity. And HKU students have a long history of pursuing their learning through community service, both in and out of Hong Kong.

"To maintain peace, we must cherish universal values such as justice, equality and respect for our common humanity. Our aim should be to improve the human condition so that everyone has the necessary resources and environment for a safe and contented life. All these are areas that HKU staff, students and alumni are trying to contribute to, so that ultimately, we can contribute to peace and development," said Professor Tsui.

The ceremony was followed by an Interactive Forum entitled "Peace and Development - Ideals and Realities". In echo with the 60th anniversary of the International Declaration of Human Right this year, the forum focused on the role of international organisations in promoting peace and development. Speakers also discussed on how to promote peace education in Hong Kong and in the Mainland.

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Denise Wong of HKU's External Relations Office (Tel: 2859 2600 / E-mail: denise.wong@hku.hk)