President Wavel Ramkalawan’s message on the occasion of International Day of Peace |21 September 2021
President Wavel Ramkalawan
‘Let’s join our efforts in healing and building a better Seychelles’
To commemorate the International Day of Peace which is being observed today, President Wavel Ramkalawan has urged the populace to let go of negative actions and thoughts that are counter-intuitive to the notions of peace and harmony.
In his address yesterday evening, President Ramkalawan instead called for a more united country and for its citizens to reflect on how to better promote peace, love and harmony within households and communities.
With the pandemic still very much a concern, President Ramkalawan further noted that the country stands in solidarity with families who have lost their loved ones to Covid-19 as well as health workers and other essential workers who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic.
This show of solidarity, the president continued, is one of the many ways we can spread peace and love.
The International Day of Peace is a United Nations-sanctioned event and observed every year on September 21 with the aim of raising public awareness on the importance of peace and push for cessations of hostilities, a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire
This year’s theme for the International Day of Peace is ‘Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world’.
The following is the President’s speech:
“Brothers and sisters.
“Today, as we celebrate the International Day of Peace, let us reflect on how, as a small island nation, we can spread the message of peace, not only for a prosperous future but also for a better present.
“During this time of reflection, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, we think about all the lives lost because of the coronavirus. We think of the families in sorrow and grieving the loss of their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with anyone affected in one way or another by the coronavirus, and we thank the Lord for all those who have recovered and returned to good health.
“On behalf of the people of Seychelles, I want to extend a special thanks to the healthcare workers and workers of essential services tirelessly working since the pandemic began. We acknowledge your dedication, patience, courage and determination in taking care of yourselves, your colleagues, your families and your fellow brothers and sisters. We stand in solidarity with you all and our expression of thanks is a symbolic gesture to strengthen the ideals of peace and love.
“Every year, the United Nations invites us to stand against acts and thoughts of violence, hatred, vengeance and jealousy. Today is a day to reflect on promoting peace and harmony through our actions and amongst our family, community and society. It is imperative for us to have love and peace in our own heart if we want to promote love and peace! Let us use this day to stand up against all forms of violence and to come together as one nation, united for the good of Seychelles, our beautiful and blessed country.
“Brothers and sisters, today is a day for us to join our efforts in healing and building a better Seychelles ‒ a Seychelles where peace, love, unity, solidarity and harmony reign in the hearts and lives of everyone. Today, I pray that with the abundant blessings of our Lord, Seychelles and the rest of the world will heal from the Covid-19 pandemic; that our economy will recover and continue to sustain the future of our children; and that our country will stay safe so that we continue to welcome visitors to our islands.
“I wish you all a happy International Day of Peace and that the Lord continues to bless and guide us all towards a prosperous future.”