May 16 is the International Day of Living Together in Peace

May 16 is the International Day of Living Together in Peace. According to UNESCO, “living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way.”

The day serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering understanding, compassion and connection across differences. It encourages us to reflect on the role we each play in creating environments rooted in respect, belonging and community.

Dr. Moussa Magassa, PhD, associate vice-president of MRU’s Office of Community and Belonging, says, “Like our ethical responsibility to embed anti-racism principles and values in all systems and structures of our organizations, we must think of our focus on belonging, inclusion and respect of all as not a burden or something that pits ‘us’ and ‘them,’ but rather, as a gift of humanity we give to one another as human beings. A community founded on these values and principles benefits us all, regardless of our individual or social differences.”

At Mount Royal University, living together in peace can look like engaging in meaningful dialogue, listening to diverse perspectives, challenging discrimination and creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed and valued. Mount Royal University’s strategic plan, Vision 2030: Opening Minds and Changing Lives, clearly reflects this commitment through its broad strategic priorities, particularly Goals 4, 5, 6, and 10. In addition to major initiatives, it is often the small, everyday actions that play an equally important role in strengthening a more inclusive and connected campus community.

As we recognize the International Day of Living Together in Peace, we encourage the MRU community to reflect on the ways that empathy, understanding and belonging can be fostered through everyday interactions. In addition to initiatives such as MRU’s annual Inclusion Week — which serves as a catalyst for important conversations and education on inclusion and belonging, and the monthly Beyond Borders Cultural Competency development series, another key initiative that reflects these values at the institution is the Good Human Campaign.

The Good Human Campaign was created to foster an environment on campus where kindness and mutual respect guide all interactions, aiding community members to care for one another as human beings.

A Good Human is someone who enhances the feeling of belonging on campus through intentional acts of kindness, empathy and mutual respect. Good Humans help meet people where they are at, celebrate kindness in others and make positive impacts in the lives of those around them.