International Day of Conscience
Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in July 2019, this day aims to foster global awareness that transcends political or economic agreements, emphasizing the need to strengthen solidarity and the pillars of a culture of peace with love and conscience. As highlighted in the Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948):
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood” (1948).
On this day, the UN invites the promotion of a Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience. This is in accordance with the relevant culture and customs of their local, national, and regional communities, among other things, through quality education and public awareness activities, thereby promoting sustainable development:
“Imagine a world where every action is guided by love, a clear sense of right and wrong, and genuine care for one another — this is the essence of a culture of peace, a vision embraced by the United Nations and global communities alike.”
Established to inspire individuals and communities, the day underscores the power of ethical reflection and compassionate action in addressing today’s global challenges. It calls on societies worldwide to promote dialogue, cultivate empathy, and adopt conscientious behaviors that uphold human dignity, contribute to sustainable development, and foster peaceful coexistence among diverse cultures.
Therefore, we must overcome the “clash of civilizations” (Huntington, 1993) in favor of the “dialogue among civilizations,” first formulated by former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, which served as the basis for the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
In this line of dialogue, Flecha (2022) explains in his book The Dialogic Society how “the dialogic evolution of societies includes the progressive overcoming of violence.” He also emphasizes the ability each of us has, starting with our personal relationships, to contribute to the goal of zero violence. That is, from our conscience, our reflexivity, our capacity to make decisions, and our consideration of others and the consequences of our actions, we can give way to “the personal peace which is one of the solid bases for world peace.” This is the key I would like to highlight on a day like today, with the idea that humanity can continue progressing toward a more peaceful world. We can start by deciding what kind of relationships we have in our everyday lives: those harmful relationships based on violence or those beautiful relationships based on dialogue.
Editor of Daily 27.
Predoctoral researcher at the Department of Sociology in University of Barcelona.