Despite the cancellation of traditional World Peace Day events in Cowra, Chairperson of the Australian Chapter of the World Peace Bell Association, Ian Brown said the spirit of the occasion was important now more than ever.
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Marked annually on September 21, this year's event will be scaled down with Mr Brown ringing Cowra's World Peace Bell at 12pm on the day.
"Each year on the International Day of Peace, the United Nations invites people around the world to celebrate peace by observing 24 hours of ceasefire and non-violence," Mr Brown said.
"On this day we in Cowra come together at the Australian World Peace Bell to join with the other 22 world peace bells in ringing our bell.
"Not only is the day a celebration, it is a call to increase our efforts to bring about world peace and an end to violence.
"It is call to world leaders to join with the United Nations to effectively commit to upholding, promoting and protecting the human rights of every individual according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
"It is about the pursuit of democratic self-determination in those countries ruled by unelected dictators and despots.
"We are fortunate living in our country in peace.
"Peace begins in the home and at school with an attitude of caring and consideration of others.
"The knowledge gained equips our children for the future with information that brings about understanding of the issues that will be needed for the future.
"As Eleanor Roosevelt said, 'I believe we cannot always build a future for our youth but we can build our youth for the future'."
Mr Brown also paid tribute to the nine nominees for this year's Cowra Youth Peace Award, with the winner being named at a Rotary dinner on September 23.
"I acknowledge the nine Youth Peace Award nominees this year," he said.
"They are an outstanding group of Cowra youth.
'As Chairman of the Australian World Peace Bell Association, I am excited that we in Cowra, as guardians of the Cowra Bell, have responsibly prepared our youth for the future to make the world a better place."
