fbpx
Every dollar matched up to $50,000 until December 31! Give today.
Our SpeakUp® Mechanism
Nonviolent Peaceforce logo with blue dotDonate

Global Ceasefire: The UN Secretary General Calls for a Worldwide Lock-down on Armed Conflict

Date: April 9, 2020

 global ceasefire

 

The Call to Lay Down Arms

On March 23, UN Secretary General António Guterres urged warring parties across the world to lay down their weapons so we can face COVID-19 together. 

Our world faces a common enemy: COVID-19. The virus does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith. It attacks all, relentlessly. Meanwhile, armed conflict rages on around the world…The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war. That is why today, I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world. It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives.

CaptureUN Secretary General António Guterres

Gutterres' call has been echoed by Elders Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-Moon as well as Moussa Faki, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Pope Francis.

Together with dozens of organizations and public figures, we are calling on all world leaders and warring parties to enact and respect a #GlobalCeasefire to use this unprecedented moment in world history to take steps towards peace.

We’re calling for a #GlobalCeasefire to confront coronavirus. 

Instead of fighting each other, people all over the world must now join together to overcome coronavirus. But to confront this common threat to humanity and protect the world’s most vulnerable people, we need global leadership and cooperation. That’s why our movement are calling on all world leaders and warring parties to enact and respect a #GlobalCeasefire to: 

Protect the invaluable humanitarian and healthcare workers risking their own health and safety, and to ensure communities are prepared to mount an effective response to coronavirus. 

Allow life-saving humanitarian aid to meet escalating needs on the ground as the virus spreads to the most vulnerable communities. 

Use this unprecedented moment in world history to take steps towards peace in all the world’s conflicts that have
already taken such a huge toll on human life." 

All over the world warring parties are already putting down their weapons and agreeing to join the #GlobalCeasefire. And a growing number of states, world leaders, and international organizations are adding their voice to say they back the #GlobalCeasefire. 

#GlobalCeasefire Purpose

  1. Protect the invaluable humanitarian and healthcare workers risking their own health and safety, and to ensure communities are prepared to mount an effective response to coronavirus.

  2. Allow life-saving humanitarian aid to meet escalating needs on the ground as the virus spreads to the most vulnerable communities.

  3. Use this unprecedented moment in world history to take steps towards peace in all the world’s conflicts that have already taken such a huge toll on human life.

 

 

Nonviolent Peaceforce has joined the call for a #GlobalCeasefire,
and we want you to be a part of this worldwide movement! 

1Click to join the movement

 

 

Join the more than 8.6 million who are demanding peace through the #DovesForPeace Campaign!

Sign this petition and add your name to the list of more than 2.2 million people calling for a global ceasefire. 

 

 

2Click to contact the White House

 

Message  Donald Trump at the White House! 

We strongly urge the US to put aside its differences with other Security Council members, and promote global solidarity to tackle the shared threat of COVID-19 ahead of trade wars and diplomatic  disagreements. The world needs leadership from the US for humanity to come together to tackle this global pandemic. We are not safe until everyone is safe.”

 

 

{modal content="modal-content-179"}3{/modal}
{modalcontent modal-content-179}

Click here for the link to the current Op-Ed Toolkit

See below for the archived key points for the Global Ceasefire Op-Eds:

  • On March 23, UN Secretary General António Guterres urged warring parties across the world to lay down their weapons so we can face COVID-19 together.
  • Nonviolent Peaceforce was an early supporter of the #globalceasefire movement that followed the Secretary General's call. Millions of individuals, world leaders, and organizations have since supported the movement, and there have been multiple key ceasefires called on the ground in areas affected by conflict. 
  • Dozens of countries have voiced their support for a global ceasefire. Unfortunately, there are some countries holding out. 
  • Even if we do not reach a unanimous #globalceasefire, the movement itself is an extremely critical step in creating a sustainble peace. 
  • As we have seen from the success of the movement thus far, this era has the potential for peace. The question remains: even though there are pockets of peace right now, how do we collectively build sustainbable peace? More on this from our 3rd Nonviolence Cafe
  • One place to start, we must rewire our brains to not lean into violence. For example, the COVID-19 crisis has been approached with violent rhetoric (e.g. we are at "war" with the virus). However, Nonviolent Peaceforce and others call for a reframing from working against something negative to working for something positive. More on this from Ken Butigan (Pace e Bene) and from our 1st Nonviolence Cafe.
  • And, we must uplift local voices. Structures are made up of individuals; if we want structural change, it starts with individuals. 

{/modalcontent}

 

Submit an op-ed to your newspaper! 

 

 

 

 And, don't forget to think globally, but act locally. Ceasefires start with individuals and relationships. While staying home, create a community through technology. Call a friend. Spread the good news. Grow the movement. 
 Think globally
 
"First in our own home, next door neighbor in the country we live, in the whole world."  ~Mother Teresa 

 

 

 

 

 

You can protect civilians who are living in or fleeing violent conflict. Your contribution will transform the world's response to conflict.
arrow-right
English