International Day of Peace Lecture 2025

Uniting for a Just Peace

In 2001, the 21st September was designated to be marked around the world as a day to cease military operations and call for peace. To inaugurate the day, the United Nations Peace Bell is rung at UN Headquarters. The bell is cast from coins donated by people from all continents except Africa, and was a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan, as "a reminder of the human cost of war"; the inscription on its side reads, "Long live absolute world peace".

This year’s lecture will mark the United Nations 80th anniversary. Formed to ensure the world would have mechanisms in place to prevent a repeat of the First and Second World Wars, where collectively 80-107 million people were killed.

Program

• The 14th annual Brisbane Peace lecture will be delivered by former Australian Foreign Minister the Hon Gareth Evans with supporting addresses by Palestinian Dr Yassmin Khadra and South Sudanese Bishop Daniel Abot.

• Music from the Brisbane Combined Unions Choir

• UN Secretary General Peace day message

• Awarding of the Think Global Act Local peace prize - UNAA President Donnell Davis

• UNAAQ Peace and Security Program Manager Annette Brownlie

How to Join

• Cost: Free, but registrations essential for in-person attendance

• Please support the work we do by becoming a member!

• The event will be livestreamed on the St John's Cathedral Youtube channel