IN 2001 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a new reslution 55/82 declaring September 21 of each year as the International Day of Peace.

The resolution "Declares that the International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the day".

This statement begs the question: What is peace and why is it so important to us? There are many people who with good reason, skeptically assert that the idea of world peace is an utopian concept preached by people who are woefully detached from the realities of life.

With all the conflict, strife, crime and denial of so many people's rights to dignified existence, how can we not be skeptical that world peace is a fallacy?

Some segments of our community are even content to call the strife we see today as the beginning of the end of the world. Is this bleak picture our legacy for the present and future generations?

Perhaps, this is the beginning of the end of our world as we know it and the birth of a new world order where we as a human race have evolved to a higher level of social and spiritual responsibility, having learned from mistakes of the past.

What is the lesson from our past? The first step towards garnering world peace is recognition that achieving unity in all aspects of our existence is our primary challenge.

A succinct and practical description of the restructuring necessary to effect this unity if offered in the writings of Shoghi Effendi, Guardian Bahai Faith who commented that: "Far from aiming at the subversion of the existing foundations of society, it seeks to broaden its basis, to remold its institutions in a manner consonant with the needs of an ever changing world.

"It can conflict with no legitimate allegiances, nor can it undermine essential loyalties.

"Its purpose is neither to stifle the flame of a sane and intelligent patriotism in men's hearts nor to abolish the system of national autonomy so essential if the evils of excessive centralisation are to be avoided.

"It does not ignore nor does it attempt to suppress, the diversity of ethnical origins, of climate, history, language and tradition of thought and habit, that differentiate the peoples and nations of the world.

"It calls for a wider loyalty, for a larger aspiration than any that has animated the human race. Its watchword is unity in diversity ".

Diversity for humanity has long been a major cause of conflict.

Whether the conflict stems from differences of religion, gender, race, tradition or language, humanity has failed to truly embrace its diversity and use it to enrich the collective well being.

Our practice has been to dominate or destroy as much as possible that which we do not understand and cannot identify with.

This attitude is much to our disadvantage and as long as we continue to enshrine our prejudices due to ignorance and pass those along to our children and grandchildren, unity and peace will remain elusive.

This brings us to the issue of individual responsibility. Each and every individual has a stake in the accomplishment of world peace, beginning with the smallest unit of the community and that is the family.

What are we teaching our families about personal conduct, respect for other people and responsibility for our actions?

How are we educating ourselves to develop our spiritual and mental faculties in a positive manner that benefits our communities?

Are we dedicating our energy to eliminating harmful, archaic practices that discriminate against and oppress any segment of our society?

The Bahai writings further state: "Whether peace is to be reached only after unimaginable horrors precipitated by humanity's stubborn clinging to old patterns of behaviour or is to be embrace now by an act of consultative will, is the choice before all who inhabit the earth."

At this critical juncture when the intractable problems confronting nations have been fused into one common concern for the whole world, failure to stem the tide of conflict and disorder would be unconsciounably irresponsible.

With the entrenchment of this view, a paralysing contradiction has developed in human affairs.

On the one hand, people of all nations proclaim not only their readiness but their longing for peace and harmony, for an end to the harrowing apprehensions tormenting their daily lives.

On the other uncritical assent is given to the proposition that human beings are incorrigibly selfish and aggressive and thus incapable of erecting a social system that is progressive and peaceful, dynamic and harmonious, a system giving free play to individual creativity and initiative but based on co-operation and reciprocity.

As the need for peace becomes more urgent, this fundamental contradiction which hinders its realisation demands a reassessment of the assumptions upon which the commonly held view of mankind's historical predicament is based.

Dispassionately examined, the evidence reveals that such conduct, far from expressing man's true self, represents a distortion of the human spirit.

Satisfaction on this point will enable all people to set in motion constructive social forces which because they are consistent with human nature, will encourage harmony and co-operation instead of war and conflict".

Each of us, regardless of our backgrounds and various affiliations has the ability to exert a positive influence in our communities when our motive is to promote unity and our action is to foster it.

Each individual has many opportunities to consider the implications of decisions made on the welfare and unity of our communities and countries.

The Bahai scriptures challenge all of us to be agents of peace: "Shut your eyes to estrangment then fix your gaze upon unity. Cleave tenaciously unto that which will lead to the well-being and tranquility of all mankind. This span of earth is but one homeland and one habitation.

It behoveth you to abandon vainglory which causeth alienation and to set your hearts whatver will ensure harmony".

We invite you all to reflect on these words in observance of the International Day of Peace.