A global day marking Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, promoting a culture of peace, tolerance, and non-violence worldwide.
Date2 October
TopicPeace & Safety
Established2007
Ways to observe this day
Read about Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence and peaceful resistance
Join a school or community discussion on building a culture of peace
Practice resolving everyday disagreements through dialogue
Support a local initiative that promotes tolerance
On June 15, 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/61/271, declaring October 2, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, as the International Day of Non-Violence. The date honors Gandhi, who led India's independence movement through peaceful resistance and became a global symbol of the philosophy of non-violence.
The day promotes non-violence through education and public awareness, affirming that peace is not merely the absence of war but the rejection of all forms of physical and psychological violence in personal, community, and international relations. It also reinforces the idea that meaningful social and political change can be achieved through peaceful means.
Schools and human rights organizations mark the day with lectures and seminars on the philosophy of non-violence, alongside community initiatives that encourage resolving conflict through dialogue rather than confrontation.