International Peace Day

The past while in Shanghai has been quite interesting. Aside from my academic and social encounters, I have had a lot of introductions into the UN and many of their involvements to help make the world a better place. Most notably, I had the pleasure to meet a man named Fred Dubee, the senior advisor of a UN department called Global Compact, who is involved in helping to create a better world through business; creating a business world that is helpful to the environment and to society. They promote corporate social responsibility and the things businesses can do to make the world better. It was a bit of an eye-opener as to how much corporations can really help out, and how much they do actually help (though it isn't often seen, in some cases it is a lot).

However, though the UN does promote many positive actions around the world, all of which are of good intentions, I feel that International Peace Day has got to be the most effective and warm-hearted program hands down. Having a day with not only no fighting, but no worry of fighting can do wonders for those who are in need of international help. A day such as this allows for so much more medical care to be provided to those in need, so much more reconstruction to be done, so much more social well being to be aided, and the list can go on. Not only is it something that can help on a global scale, it is something that can help on a local and individual scale. This day promotes everyone to do anything positive, may it be to forgive enemies, or even just to take friends out for dinner.

A day like this is perfect for the worldwide Parkour community and related local communities. It gives a chance for us to really give back and promote personal growth. It gives us a chance to show just how good-natured the Parkour world is. I hope that if this year your community hasn't done something as a group, you will at least have done things on an individual level. There are still many more Peace Days to come, so start planning on how you can promote positive nature on future Peace Days (but don't forget about every other day of the year!). So, what have you done today?