A Gambian base International Youth Organization, Youth Ambassadors of Peace in collaboration with the national commission of UNESCO, recently observed International Peace Day at the Girls Guide Conference Hall in Kanifing, With the theme: ‘’PEACE AND DEMOCRACY MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.’’
 Mr. Lamin Sanyang, the president of YAP said 21, September every year is a day set aside by the UN General Assembly for the commemoration of “International Day of Peace”, known also as the “Global Cease Fire Day” and the day is declared as a day dedicated to strengthening the ideals of peace among the people all over the globe.
“This day was initially commemorated in September 21th, 1982 and September 21st 2011 marks the 30th anniversary. The theme chosen for this year’s commemoration according to him is befitting, as it is very appropriate since Gambians will be going to the polls to elect their next president and without peace, there will be no election.
  Moreover, an in-depth analysis of the current situation of the world makes the theme more applicable as the world at present, is experiencing series of instabilities that are political and civil in nature emanating from the lack of governments to respect and promote the concept and principles of democracy.
The day should be a moment of passionate reflection for everybody and a moment of self assessment as to what have been our individual roles, contributions in the problems, unrest, and as well as peace related initiatives in the world for the past year. ‘’The conclusions of these assessments should be our resolution for the coming years.’’
Mr. Sanyang observed that peace and Democracy are two concepts that are interdependent, thus one cannot be attained in the absence of the other. Together they form a partnership that promotes the well-being of all Democracies as embodied in the UDHR supports an environment for a host of political rights and civil liberty. Peace in the world over is being threatened by the lack of democracy and the rule of law and the freedom of the press and social justice in general has come under constant threat for the past three decades, and It should be the collective responsibilities of all governments, civil societies, private sectors, and individuals to promote the concept of democracy for the continued peace and stability in the world.
 He added many innocent people have fallen as victims of violent conflicts as a result of the failure of systems to promote peace and uphold the principles of democracy and the rule of law. People in authority must endeavor to respect the wills of the electorate. All the troubles and unrest happening around the world today are as a result of the failure of government officials to respect the wills of the people who elected them into those offices.
 Dr. Saja Taal in his statement assumed that peace is a culture and Religion is something that needs to be preserved in the globe, but today the situation in other parts of the globe is worrying as people are dying all over just because of our selfishness and the typical example is the Libyan, Syrian and Yemeni conflicts.
 ‘’I think human beings subscribes to become hypocrites because we sometimes see something serious coming to happen and we will not make efforts to stop it.’’
Mr. Fabakary Kalleh, secretary general of Youth ambassador of peace, said democracy is all about accountability whether responsible or irresponsible, providing elements of responsibility to promote democracy values and peace are essential.