International Day of Nonviolence (02/10)





The date was not chosen by chance: Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and founder of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence, was born on October 2, 1869.

In accordance with the UN resolution, International Day serves as an additional reason to promote non-violence, including through educational and public awareness work«. The document confirms the «universal significance of the principle of non-violence», as well as the desire to «affirm a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence».

Indian Minister of State for International Affairs Anand Sharma, introducing the resolution on behalf of 140 sponsors to the General Assembly, said that the document's «-wide and diverse range of creators reflects a sense of deep respect for Mahatma Gandhi, as well as the enduring significance of his philosophical views». In his speech, he cited the following statement from the late leader: «Non-violence is the greatest force in the hands of humanity. It is more powerful than the most powerful destructive weapon generated by human ingenuity».

The principle of nonviolence, also known as nonviolent resistance, denies the use of physical violence to achieve social or political change.

It is believed that there are three main categories of nonviolent acts: protest and persuasion (this includes, in particular, holding marches and pickets); refusal to cooperate; nonviolent interference (for example, blocking traffic or seizing premises without causing harm to people). Often characterized as «politics of ordinary people», this form of social struggle has been accepted by the general public around the world in the struggle for social justice.

In the modern world, where, unfortunately, there is still a lot of violence and social injustice, and besides, the number of armed conflicts and clashes in different countries is large, Non-Violence Day — is a very relevant and important date.



Postcard «2 October — International Day of Nonviolence»

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