International Day of Peace speech template

Published 10 October 2026 · Date checked on 5 October 2026 · Written by the Cue Card Converter team at EventProgrammer, event production professionals

The International Day of Peace, observed on 21 September, promotes peace, solidarity and the prevention of conflict. The United Nations General Assembly established it in 1981, and in 2001 designated it as a day of non-violence and ceasefire. At United Nations Headquarters in New York, the day is traditionally marked by ringing the Peace Bell. Schools, communities and organisations around the world hold moments of silence, peace walks, art projects and discussions.

Date: September 21
Next dates: Tuesday 21 September 2027
Thursday 21 September 2028
Friday 21 September 2029
Observed: Internationally
Tone: Awareness
Typical events: School assemblies, interfaith and community gatherings, university events, peace walks, embassy receptions and workplace moments of reflection.
Length: 239 spoken words · about 2 min at 130 words a minute · 5 cue cards

The International Day of Peace speech, ready as cue cards

A complete host script in 5 cards, about 2 minutes of speaking. Open it in the editor to add your names, change the card size or highlights, and print.

WELCOME
Good afternoon, and welcome. My name is {Your name}, and on behalf of {Organisation}, I'm glad you have joined us on the International Day of Peace. The people here come from different places, speak different languages and hold different views. That is exactly why gathering together matters today.
1 / 5
A DAY FOR PEACE
The United Nations established this day in 1981, and in 2001 it became a day of non-violence and ceasefire as well. Peace is not only the absence of war. It is also how we treat our neighbours, how we settle disagreements and how we include people who feel left out.
2 / 5
A MINUTE FOR PEACE
At UN Headquarters in New York, the day is marked by ringing the Peace Bell. In that spirit, we will ring a bell here and then share one minute of quiet. Think of people living with conflict, and of one way you could bring more peace into your own life.
[BELL RINGS – ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE]
Thank you.
3 / 5
MESSAGES OF PEACE
This week, {Class or group} wrote short messages about what peace means to them. We'll hear three of them now. You'll find the rest on the peace wall at the back of the hall, and we'd love you to add your own before you leave.
4 / 5
CLOSING
Thank you all. Peace can feel like something only leaders decide, yet it also grows from small choices: listening before we answer, standing up for someone, refusing to spread hate. Let's carry that minute of quiet with us through the year. Travel home safely.
5 / 5

Red is used only for names, titles, organisations, dates, times and section headings. Replace the words in {curly brackets} with your own details; lines in [SQUARE BRACKETS] are stage directions and are not read aloud.

How to adapt it

Avoid naming current conflicts, governments or leaders, as some people in the audience may be directly affected. Keep the focus on shared values and on what people can do locally.
Doves, olive branches and folded paper cranes are widely recognised peace symbols and make simple decorations or classroom activities in the days before 21 September.
Any bell will do for the central moment, from a school bell to a small hand bell. Agree the cue in advance so the silence starts cleanly, and let the full minute run.
In multilingual groups, invite people to say the word 'peace' in their own languages before the closing. It takes a minute and makes the day feel genuinely international.

Print and rehearse

“Edit and print these cards” opens the script in the free cue card maker, where you can choose A5, 4 × 6 or 3 × 5 inch cards, print several per sheet with cut lines or export PDF, PowerPoint and Word, and rehearse full screen in practice mode. To write your own programme around it, see how to write an MC script and the run of show template.

Sources

Date and background checked on 5 October 2026 against: International Days and Weeks | United Nations. Customs vary between organisations and regions; always follow the official programme of your event.

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