A Shared Call for Action Every year on September 21, the world marks the International Day of Peace, a United Nations observance dedicated to strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations. The 2025 global theme, “Act Now for Peace,” calls for urgent, tangible action that goes beyond symbolic gestures reminding every citizen that peace begins in communities, homes, and classrooms.
In both Kenya and Norway, Peace Day is not just a commemoration; it’s a reflection of who they are and what they aspire to be, nations deeply invested in dialogue, inclusion, and shared humanity.
Peace Through a Child’s Eyes
A few weeks before Peace Day, my son’s school held its end-of-year concert — themed World Peace — and for me, it became a living example of what harmony truly looks like.
Children from different nationalities walked into the hall wearing white T-shirts printed with the words “Harmony for Humanity.” They sang songs in Swahili and French, languages that, in their simplicity, united not just Africa but a whole community of diverse families.
There was a multicultural fashion show, a peace walk where the students and guests waved white flags, and traditional dances from across continents, often performed by children whose heritage was entirely different from the cultures they represented.
They even showcased polite language and words that foster respect, teaching phrases like “thank you,” “please,” and “excuse me” in multiple languages. Watching them, I realized that peace is not just taught — it’s practiced, learned, and shared through everyday kindness. That performance, though set in one school, mirrored what Peace Day stands for globally: an invitation to live with empathy and curiosity toward others.
Kenya: From National Unity to Grassroots Peacebuilding
For Kenyans, World Peace Day carries profound weight. The country’s history shaped by postelection tensions, ethnic rivalries, and social inequality makes peacebuilding both a civic and moral responsibility.
Institutions like the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and county peace committees have strengthened local mediation and dialogue processes. This year, Kenya aligned its observance with the UN’s global theme:
“The UN’s 2025 Peace Day theme, ‘Act Now for Peace,’ framed local program across Kenya, urging immediate civic and policy action rather than ceremonial observance.”
Notably, the Africa Peace and Environment Summit (APES 2), hosted in Nairobi in early September 2025, highlighted how climate resilience and peacebuilding are inseparable. County governments also intensified youth dialogues and listening forums, turning speeches into action and making young people central to the peace agenda.
Still, as peace educator Caroline Njoroge reminds us, “Peace will only come when every county budget reflects inclusion, when every youth has work, and when politics stop dividing us.”
Norway: Peace as a National Identity
In Norway, peace is both a domestic value and a global export. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), and Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution (NOREF) marked Peace Day through diplomacy workshops, youth peace innovation challenges, and cultural dialogues with refugee communities.
Yet even a country admired for mediation and neutrality faces introspection. Political commentator Erik Johansen cautioned that, “Norway’s peace brand is strong abroad, but domestically, we must act now for inclusion especially with immigrant communities and political polarization rising.”
Shared Lessons: Turning Peace Day into Practice
Both Kenya and Norway show that peace cannot rely on slogans. Kenya’s youth employment initiatives and community mediation programs prove that peace grows from economic empowerment and dialogue. Norway’s support for refugee inclusion, mediation training, and global partnerships underscores that peace thrives through shared responsibility.
The two countries also intersect meaningfully: Norway funds Kenyan civil society networks working on reconciliation, while Kenya contributes to regional peace missions under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
By 2025, Peace Day has become less about ceremony and more about sustaining real progress one conversation, one partnership, one act of kindness at a time.
A Living Vision
Back at my son’s concert, as the children waved their white flags and smiled at one another in every imaginable accent, I couldn’t help but feel hopeful. That small hall, filled with laughter, song, and unity, represented the world we want to build — where respect replaces rivalry and curiosity replaces fear.
If peace begins anywhere, it begins there; in classrooms, conversations, and moments where children learn that being different doesn’t mean being divided.
Conclusion
The 2025 International Day of Peace is a reminder that the path to harmony starts with each of us. Whether it’s a school concert in Nairobi or a mediation center in Oslo, the message is the same:
Act now for peace.
Because peace isn’t a single day on the calendar; it’s a daily choice to listen, include, and love.
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