P 21 SEPTEMBER, ANNUALLY Culture of Peace INITIATIVE

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P PEEAACCEE D DAAYY 21 SEPTEMBER, ANNUALLY Culture of Peace INITIATIVE PEACE BEGINS WITH OURSELVES, LIVING IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER AND WITH THE EARTH WHAT: The International Day of Peace (Peace

Peace Day serves annually to highlight the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, 2001 to 2010.

1 P PEEAACCEE D DAAYY 21 SEPTEMBER, ANNUALLY Culture of Peace INITIATIVE PEACE BEGINS WITH OURSELVES, LIVING IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER AND WITH THE EARTH WHAT: The International Day of Peace (Peace Day) provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of Peace on a shared date. Peace Day serves annually to highlight the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, 2001 to Established by a United Nations resolution in 1981, the International Day of Peace was first celebrated September [Please see article below: Background of the Annual International Day of Peace ] WHEN: Annually, 21 September International Day of Peace (Peace Day) WHERE: Wherever you are. WHO: You and all who care about building Cultures of Peace for the children of this and future generations. WHY: To mark our individual and collective progress toward building Cultures of Peace, and serve as a reminder of our permanent commitment to Peace, above all interests and differences of any kind. Individuals and Nations, acting in concert, DO make a difference in the quality of our lives, our institutions, our environment and our planetary future. Through co-operation, we manifest the essential Spirit that unites us amidst our diverse ways. HOW: Through various paths to personal and planetary Peace, such as: Build a Peace Wave throughout the world during one Minute of Silence of Peace the International Day of Peace, and at NOON every day, in our common commitment to Peace. Ring a bell, light a candle for Peace. Plan a local event--use schools, places of worship, libraries, parks, or municipal buildings to host events and to build inter-generational partnerships within your community. Incorporate silence, prayer, and meditation into your plans. Promote local media attention for the Day. Publish an editorial on Peace Day in a newspaper or magazine. Ask your government officials to proclaim each 21 September as the International Day of Peace (Peace Day) Holiday. Or whatever inspires you as a PeaceBuilder! Please let us know about your organisationåfs Peace Day activity by contacting Pathways To Peace at mailto:info@pathwaystopeace.org 11/9/2006

2 A SILENCE THAT IS HEARD AROUND THE WORLD San Francisco Examiner, Sept. 19, 1984, Noon, International Day of Peace BACKGROUND OF THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE (21 SEPTEMBER) The International Day of Peace, established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly, was first celebrated on the third Tuesday of September Beginning 2002, the UN General Assembly set 21 September as the now permanent date for the International Day of Peace. In establishing the International Day of Peace, the United Nations General Assembly decided that it would be appropriate to devote a specific time to concentrate the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as of the whole of mankind, to promoting the ideals of peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to peace in all viable ways (The International Day of Peace) should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples. The Assembly s resolution declared that the International Day of Peace will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our Organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the Organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace. May this Peace Day indeed be a day of peace. [Quotes excerpted from the United Nations General Assembly Resolution UN/A/RES/36/67] [Quote from the UN Resolution UN/A/RES/55/282 which amends the date of the International Day of Peace to 21 September]: The Assembly, reaffirming the contribution that the observance and celebration of the International Day of Peace make in strengthening the ideals of peace and alleviating tensions and causes of conflict, (decided that) beginning with the fifty-seventh session, the Day should be observed on 21 September each year, with this date to be brought to the attention of all people for the celebration and observance of peace. More Examples of How Others Around The World Are Celebrating The Annual International Day Of Peace (Peace Day)! "The International Day of Peace is always a special occasion, but this one is even more so -- for this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Peace Bell, which we ring every year on this day."-- Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General, 21 September 2004 Learn about the history of the day-- read UN General Assembly Resolution 55/282 Engage in UN Days & Years meditation. UN Events Join with others to create a global International Day of Peace Vigil. IDP Vigil Use universal invocations and prayers such as "May Peace Prevail on Earth" and the Great Invocation Sponsor a full-day programme of interfaith dialogue, sports for Peace, performances for Peace, Peace concert, and local leaders presentations on PeaceBuilding-CRY Uganda Learn universal mudras for Peace The Divinity Project Plant a Peace Pole or have a World Peace Flag Ceremony. Worldpeace.org Peacepoles Project 2

3 Publish an editorial on IDP in a magazine for business, management, international agencies, and airport customers.action Network/Wales in Action Mata Amritanandamayi Math on behalf of Mata Amritandanamaya Devi, ( Amma ), coordinated thousands of people and events for the day around the world, with prayer and meditation sessions; contacting schools, prisons; organising interviews with ABC radio, etc. Amma Inaugurate a Torch of Peace--A Dream For Our World Initiative Empowerment Institute Participate in a PeaceBuilding project that is inter-generational, intercultural We Want Peace On Earth Participate in worldwide inter-faith Peace activities United Religions Initiative Join alliances of youth organizations uniting for a culture of Peace Taking It Global World Festival of Humanity two-day event, with a 3-hour global broadcast on IDP- Humanitad, One World Live, Amnesty International, We the World, Pathways To Peace, Roots & Shoots, Inst. For Nuclear Disarmament, others- Humanitad Promote IDP as one dedicated to non-violence and global ceasefire Peace One Day Honor Hear the Children Day of Peace, which culminates 11 days of Peace (11 21 September) when children and adults plan projects that help governments achieve the 21 targets put forth in the UNICEF document A World Fit for Children. Peace Day events are planned in 47 countries by Member Organizations of the Young General Assembly Be kind, forgiving and compassionate in all relationships, with all circles of life Forgiveness Works, Beliefnet Help young people join the Peace Team with a daily practice Peace Is The Only Gold Become involved in the UN International Decade for a Culture of Peace Cultures of Peace News Network Celebrate 11 th National IDP Observance with school programme s Education Committee, Principal, Teachers and Pupils. UNA-Sri Lanka Join 342 churches in over 120 countries and 550 million members of the World Council of Churches mark 21 September as International Day of Prayer for Peace World Council of Churches Link the IDP to the Decade of Overcoming Violence Overcoming Violence Use and adapt World Peace Plan 2010 Robert Muller, Earthpax Peace Day Celebrations in Belgium include Symposium on Health Sustainability and Spiritual World Citizenship-Association of World Citizens, Netherlands International Advertising Festival of Rio de Janeiro is promoting "Grande Prêmio da Paz" in all media- Conscius Feature a Special E-Lightletter, Issue #9 Soul Light, highlighting IDP, Center for Visionary Leadership Noon Peace meditation with teachers and school children for planetary citizenship and sustainable development. International Children s Peace Council, Italy Join IDP 24-hour Peace vigils, A Course In Miracles Int l Initiate video conversations on Peace through ethical and spiritual values- hold a ceremony of gratitude for the Earth, Centre-Link, edmee,dipauli@btopenworld.com Celebrate the16 th annual IDP noon ceremony of silence and joyful sound, Peal for Peace, Inuvik Olof Palme Peace Foundation sponsors volunteer services at hospital, an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, donation of necessities to orphanage in Accra, Ghana, and youth sporting activities during Culture of Peace Week. Launch Peace Encouragement Program, A People s Plea for Peace ; Peace Wish Post Card; school Peace Song contest; candlelight vigil and public talk, Kathmandu; Speech contest of high school students on Role of Student in the Peace Building Process, and Social Service Day speech, Friends Service Council Nepal 3

4 Support programs for children in Uzbekistan through Center of Young Activists Youth Intellectuals Focus meditation on IDP with Peacebuilders and Peacemakers worldwide, Rainbow Bridge Centre, South Africa. Hold minute of silence and bell ringing, with messages for world s children, the aged, refugees, and the environment, Message of Peace Foundation, Ghana. Listen to Peace is a Verb National radio broadcast for Peace Week, (program # 2992), New Dimensions Broadcasting Network Educate youth to turn away from unpeaceful activities and move towards the promotion of the culture of peace, with a Peace march of 3000 youths around the city of Yaounde, organized by the Foundation for Peace and Solidarity, Cameroon. Host a special event at university. Chancellor Robert Muller proposes that on Peace Day, people send contributions to their preferred UN world Programme/Agency University for Peace, Costa Rica Promote peace through art and meditation, invoking love into USA national heart center. Los Angeles Heart Project and Beyond Inaugurate Children s Peace Movement International; Interdenominational Prayer Congress for World Peace. Church Service; Peace Rally with Delivery of Children s Letter to the President demanding peace-based government. WHEDA, Nigeria. IDP 24-Hour Peace Meditation Vigil, The Sundial House Group, England Teach Peace Education for Sustainable Development. Programme for Kashmir Valley Commonwealth Public School, Kashmir. Draft and sign a Peace Pledge for school administration, faculty, staff and students of St. Mary s School, Yap, Federated States of Micronesia. Produce a film documentary on Peace Rally by Seniors for Peace, Redwood Retirement Community, Mill Valley CA Film Arts Hold prayers for Peace, Tribal Elders of Tiburon Community Congregational Church, Tiburon CA Sponsor a World Peace Prayer Ceremony, Byakko Shinko Kai, Japan. And, World Peace Prayer Society Create Peace through poor people s development programmes, Rural Development & Youth Training Institute, Kota District, India. Join a Peace Circle in Quezon City, Philippines, The Peacemakers Circle, URI toots_bocc@hotmail.com Participate in a 24-hour Global Meditation and Prayer Vigil with over 300 participants worldwide, utilizing the Great Invocation Triangle Centre, New Zealand Attend a Children s Procession with giant Peace doves, flags of the world and peace posters, Aztec and Irish dancers, rose ceremony, International Art Display by Youth, Peace Day Proclamations in Sacramento, (CA State Capitol), International World Peace Rose Gardens Work a Day for Peace, 21/22 September. Kit available, Nonviolent Peaceforce, Sri Lanka Recite Prayer for Peace Path of Peace, The Academy for Future Science, Keys of Enoch: Peace Join Peace Bell at noon and silent Circle for Peace, UN Geneva The Spiritual Caucus at the United Nations Gathering and ceremonies at Wanganui peace sculpture, Operation Peace Through Unity, New Zealand In Toronto, Canada, enjoy a moment of silence at noon, followed by gong, eucharistic celebration and prayers for Peace,mailto:<olm@bellnet.ca Promote IDP Proclamations by cities, counties, states, and countries. 4

5 Throughout South Africa, join International Week of Peace activities, including Peace Africa Youth Centres and schools, National Conference on Globalised Racism and the Search for Peace and Justice, and launch of Peace Park and Life Centre in Kwazulu Natal. Umtapo Centre Students engage with media stations and the Mayor s office through Students Against Violence Everywhere (S.A.V.E.), Flint Southwestern Academy High School. Join a procession at Lusaka, Zambia, with 400 children from Fountain of Hope Orphanage, plus a tree planting ceremony, (40 trees donated by Zambian Forestry Dept.) covered by all media.earthwalkeruk@yahoo.co.uk Students held an assembly at the Udhailiyah School, Saudi Arabia, with peace songs and peace balloon launching, bell ringing and moment of silence. geowizpete@hotmail.com Publish a special IDP newsletter distributed to 8,000 people, featuring prominent Peacebuilders The Lifebridge Foundation Share the Spirit of Peace International Youth Summit at UN and World Peace Prayer Sanctuary, NY, inaugurated by Vermont Peace Institute, Inc. Vermont Peace Academy Send an message promoting IDP Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy Publish a special article about the U.N and IDP, A Living Instrument of Peace, The Peace Company Create a Talisman of Peace, a tool for conflict resolution mediators, Artship Foundation, San Francisco Organize Peace On The Hill Celebration and Children s Letter-Writing Campaign for a Day of Peace, in Minneapolis, by The Peace Project Group, 1st Unitarian Society Student monks, students and teachers of 16 primary and secondary schools did Peace Painting, Poetry: A Pathway To Peace, Dhamma Bicycle Race, Peace Studies, and Peace Pole Ceremony. Dhamma Park Foundation, Thailand dpp@loxinfo.co.th Hold cultural performances of dance, music, and theatre, with a noon minute of silence and Call to Peace, in Chicago Public Schools during Peace Days (7-21 Sept). The Peace School Ride Edutrain The Peace Train with Learners grades 4-6 as part of Peace Day programme of Quaker Peace Centre, South Africa Create special events for IDP, like LEPOCO Peace Center, Bethlehem, PA Youth Unite for Peace gather with inter-religious prayers, candle lighting for peace, cultural performances by school children, speeches, and poems. Apeadu Peace Center Global Weblink Connection for the World Peace Festival in Amenia, NY and IDP Celebration, Central Park, NY. World Puja Hold Service for Peace as part of World Peace through Interreligious Actions and Dialogue, Religious Youth Service, Rivers State, Nigeria norrisudo@yahoo.com Noon Peace Vigil, Ideal-Spring International Foundation amyatizvor@hotmail.com Schedule events like The Arizona Portal/Earthdance Festival to coincide with the International Day of Peace. Earthdance Festival Broadcast worldwide One World Live Peace Concert, The Power of Peace, broadcast worldwide. World Peace Prayer Society Noontime moment of silence, followed by sounding a gong, a Eucharistic celebration, and Prayers for Peace. Our Lady s Missionaries, Toronto, Canada Poem, The Path To Peace, dedicated to the IDP, in booklet The Dance of Life, Emmanuel Petrakis, Greece, Annual Conference with the Association of Global New Thought held on the International Day of Peace, included workshops on Peacebuilding and a World Peace Flag Ceremony. Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) 5

6 Special event in San Francisco including art exhibit, children s dance theater and live rock music. The Unity Foundation Bookshop talk on the IDP and candle lighting of the World Peace Flame. The Aquarian Age Community The Youth Club of Peace was initiated with Peace activities and a visit to a school for the underprivileged. Shanti Sewa Ashram, Vermont. 100-day statewide countdown to the IDP; videoconference from UN to high schools throughout the state, of the Share the Spirit of Peace Youth Summit; 50 students sent to participate in UN IDP, New York. The Vermont Peace Academy Honoring of the IDP at the Olympic Lights Bed and Breakfast Gathering for the ringing of the noon-time Peace Bell and organized a Silent Circle for Peace, in loving memory of all those that gave their lives for peace. The NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns IDP concert event by youth-focused Peace Journey Multifaith Peace Festival, Castlemaine Australia, mailto:gjban@westnet.com.au National Interreligious Peace Summit Project on IDP, Religious Youth Service, Nigeria, mailto:rysnigeria@yahoo.com Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University: Meditation at Geneva BK Centre and Day of Reflection/Meditation at all BK Centres in Switzerland, Geneva@bkwsuch.com Annual Retreat with Dadi Janki and Sr. Mohini, on Touched by Love:; Linked in Love following IDP, San Francisco BK mailto:sfomshanti@aol.com Public program exploring meaning of Peace and how to achieve it personally and globally, BK Wolverhampton, UK mickj@blueyonder.co.uk; Silence, live music, and fresh perspectives at the Temple of Peace and Health, Cardiff, Wales, BK & UNA, fiona.church@ntlworld.com IDP program at Naga College Foundation, Philippines including observance of Silence in all offices and classrooms every hour and Peace graffiti wall, Peace art workshop, Peace march with students/employees/parents, BK Meditation Center, Naga City, bknaga@naga.ph.inter.net/ Three days IDP activities, including All Night Vigil, 1-hour World Meditation, and 1-hour Meditation with people of all religions, BK Centre, Uruguay Evening of meditation and conversation on Living Peace in Extraordinary Times, Brahma Kumaris Learning Center for Peace, Boston Global tree planting by global web school in 68 countries for Peace through Environmental awareness, ENO-Environment Online, Finland Comedy Stand Up For International Peace events, thinkpeace.net The 19 th school prize competition award ceremony involving school children and teachers from 39 countries, presided by Federico Mayor Zaragoza at 2004 Universal Dialogue of Cultures; Peace and Cooperation Foundation, mailto:pazycoop@eurosur.org Flying Peace Dove built by children at annual Peace Camp, Utica NY Public Library, Mohawk Valley Peace Coalition; mailto:ichiquoi@hamilton.edu. Candlelight vigil in downtown Bellows Falls; Great Falls Peace and Justice; luring@vermontel.net Plea to all governments to declare International Day of Peace as a special Peace Day; A Day For Peace Countdown to Peace activities, with Peace meditations and discourses by Sadh Guru Jaggi Vasudev, Melodies of Peace by Isha Foundation. Wounded Knee Peace Action (June 21- September 21) involving international youth organizations interested in Peace activism, invited by the Lakota Midnight Strong Heart Society to build sustainable modern village and culture. IDP ceremony inaugurates Wounded Knee International Youth Peace Memorial Local/Regional poets of Racine sought to read original works regarding Peace, in appreciation of the International Day of Peace; Special message of Peace by Amma requesting participation in the collective minute of silence and prayer at 12:00 noon in each time zone; Amma 6

7 Meditation, World Blessing, and Flag Ceremony, musical performances and tree planting Meditation Mount Thanking all the peoples of the world who are bringing about a world of Peace; vision of establishing a West African Peace College and planning All Nigeria Peace Soccer Tournament. Teachers Without Borders Nigeria; twb-nigeria@justice.com. Concert and press alert of worldwide commemoration of Peace Day, Inter Religious Organisation, Singapore in concert with Singapore Buddhist Lodge and the Amriteswari Society; peaceentrepreneur@hotmail.com. Eight YHA Hostels around Australia participate in IDP; Music and Dance Festival hosted by; Youth Hostel Association South Australia Mobitel Wireless Telecommunications informs clientele of 450,000 to participate in World Peace Day by press advertisements, regarding conducting prayer ceremonies, community service, displaying national flag at home and workplace. Mobitel Peace Club internal campaign distributing white bands to customers, displaying posters, etc. ravin_w@mobitellanka.com Capacity building for Conflict Transformation & Peace Building project, UNDP Sudan in coordination with other UN Agencies celebrate the International Day of Peace in Juba. The program of celebration consist of: Prayers, public meetings registry.sd@undp.org Realize that you are a pathway to Peace. Please add your organisation s activity, website/ , to this list by contacting Pathways To Peace at mailto:cultureofpeace.org Patthways To Peace PO Box 1057 Larkspur,, CA USA UN Peace Messenger Organization International Secretariat, Culture of Peace Initiative info@pathwaystopeace.org Every day can be a Peace Day when building a Culture of Peace. MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH! 7

International Day of Peace

International Day of Peace September 21, 2013 Reflection, Education, Celebration A Guide for Communities, Organizations and Individuals International Day of Peace What is Peace Day? The United Nations