The theme of this year’s International Day of Peace is Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world. As we heal from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are inspired to think creatively and collectively about how to help each other, how to support vulnerable communities and most affected areas to recover better, and how to transform our society into one that is more equal, more just, equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and healthier.

By April 2021, over 687 million COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered globally, but over 100 countries had not received a single dose. Marginalized, underprivileged and communities caught in conflict are especially vulnerable in terms of lack of equal health access and support for sustainability.

In February 2021, the UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution calling for Member States to support a “sustained humanitarian pause” to local conflict, to ensure people caught in conflict receive access to health services.

In addition, the pandemic has been accompanied by a surge in stigma, discrimination, and hatred. To be able to recover from the devastation of the pandemic, we must make peace with one another, and we must make peace with nature. The current challenges the world faces are a call for a greener and more sustainable global economy that builds resilience to climate impacts.

This webinar will host religious leaders and representatives of faith-based organizations discussing the way forward towards a more equitable and sustainable world, following the pandemic. We invite you to join the celebration of peace by standing up against acts of hate and discrimnnd discrimination, online and offline, and by supporting vulnerable and affected communities with compassion, kindness, and hope in the face of the pandemic, and as we recover.