Diocesan News
On September 21, the world marks the International Day of Peace.
Today, amidst staggering volatility, the search for peace feels overwhelming—but it has never been more urgent.
Peace is more than the absence of war; it is the foundation necessary to collectively tackle humanity’s challenges. It is the lived experience of safety, dignity, opportunities and cooperation in our daily lives.
Under the theme Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day, this year’s International Day of Peace honours the ‘everyday architects of peace’—people driving local action, laying the groundwork for stability, and building a lasting peace from the ground up.
Remember, peace isn’t just built in conference rooms—it is shaped by everyone, everywhere, every day.
Everyone, everywhere can do their part for peace. Take one small step for peace every day:
Give your time to help someone else.
Lend your voice to drive positive change.
Host a Peace Circle – an intergeneration youth-led conversation on solutions.
Use your platform to promote a cause or tell a story of peace and hope
Show us how you’re building the architecture of peace and justice using #InvestInPeace.
Ballarat residents are being invited to reflect, connect and take practical action for peace through a community-led program of events this September.
From September 20, 2026 to September 27, 2026, local organisations, community groups and residents will host a diverse range of activities marking the United Nations International Day of Peace on Sep 21, 2026. The program stretches from quiet reflection to public celebration, with opportunities to meet, talk, walk, learn and consider what peace might look like – in the world, across Ballarat and in our own everyday lives.
The Week of Peace grew from a conversation convened by the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council after funding for a larger program was unsuccessful. Rather than abandon the idea, participating groups brought what they already had: relationships, venues, knowledge, activities, networks and volunteer energy.
The result is not an event owned by one organisation, but a shared local effort involving multicultural, intercultural, interfaith, youth, refugee-support, peace, civic and community-safety perspectives.
October 27 marks the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace. In 1986, Pope John Paul II invited world religious leaders to come to Assisi to fast and pray for peace.