Dear friends of the International Day of Peace,
The drums of war are in the air. Let us overwhelm them with love and a truly global call for peace!
September is here, and it’s time to firm up our plans for the IDP. This year’s theme is Education for Peace, so let’s get all the schools involved in teaching peace and molding a new generation of peacemakers.
Grassroots Peace Initiatives
This year, various wonderful peace initiatives have chosen to share the platform of the International Day of Peace, such as: the Compassion Games <http://compassiongames.org/> (Sept. 11-21), the 11 Days of Global Unity <http://we.net/11days> (Sept. 11-21), Playing for Change Day <http://playingforchangeday.org/> (Sept. 21), and the Global March for Peace & Unity<https://www.facebook.com/GlobalMarchForPeaceUnity> (Sept. 21), which could see participants in 50 countries and 200 cities. The march will also include the United Religions Initiative group, “Footprints Around the World 4 Peace.”
Peace One Day <http://peaceoneday.org/global-campaigns/> has launched campaigns for peace through sports, dance, education, film, music, and art, and will host a concert in front of the Peace Palace in The Hague to mark the 100th anniversary of this icon for Peace and Justice. The second annual BeThePeace Global Meditation and Prayer for Peaceis aiming to top the 248 cities that participated last year – https://www.facebook.com/events/626710630693830/.
On a very personal level, there is the charming Love Letter Project, also culminating on the IDP, at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZSyOCfunt_s>.
Education Peace Team
The Education Peace Team has been collecting resource materials and links for peace education from sources all over the world. The team is building a website to share all of these riches on their new website in at perc4peace.org that will launch on September 21st. There is still time to submit your peace education materials to EducationPeaceTeam@gmail.com.
The Education Peace Team and the Media & Communications Peace Team will feature the top five videos from their recent contest on the site and on http://www.peaceday.tv on September 21st. The inspiring winners are below, with the sites where you can get a sneak peek:
1) “Diversity Rocks Youth Group – I Am The World” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsuIpGxOY78
2) “Armed with the Arts – Peace Crane Project” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V3c59mPBsQ
3) “Cercle de Paix, Peace Bus” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mHCN0tTYaw
Speaking of videos, don’t miss the wonderful, heartwarming trailer featuring UN Messenger of Peace Dr. Jane Goodall in “Part-Time Kings,” a film that will be shown in Austria at the Salzburg Evening of Film on Sept. 20 as part of their 2-day celebration of the International Day of Peace – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ys_LESjGN8.
Sports Peace Team
Former Olympian Marilyn King has taken on leadership of this emerging team, which will focus on how to apply Olympian thinking as a core practice to achieving your Gold. Those interested may contact her at Marilyn King <olympianmk@gmail.com>. Team member Noah Miller of the Israel Lacrosse Association shares this quote:
“Sport has the power to change the world – it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.
It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” – Nelson Mandela
Youth Peace Team
Although this team is only now getting underway, we have amazing young leaders ready to take it to new levels, with a start this year aiming for 2014. Contact Sayid Abdullaev <said.abdullaev@gmail.com> or Andrea Landry <andrea_landry@hotmail.ca>.
Cities Peace Team – What Can You Do?
If you haven’t firmed up your plans yet for the International Day of Peace, check out the inspiring resources on the Peace Day Philly site at
http://www.peacedayphilly.org/what-can-you-do/. You can also download the excellent PEACE DAY 2013 GLOBAL FRAMEWORK GUIDE
<http://www.peacedayphilly.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IDP-Global-Framework-20131.pdf>. Philadelphia, Chicago, Dublin, Hong Kong, Montreal and many other cities will be holding major events celebrating Peace Day.
Minute of Silence Peace Team/Prayer Peace Team
You are invited to practice for September 21st by taking a Minute of Silence/Moment of Peace daily at 12 Noon. And don’t forget to ask your house of worship to have a special prayer or song for peace over the weekend of the 21st. May Peace Prevail on Earth!
2013 IDP Observance at the United Nations – Wednesday, September 18th
Enjoy the events at the United Nations on line on Wednesday morning, Sept. 18 at http://webtv.un.org/, starting at 9:00 a.m. New York time, when Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will ring the Peace Bell in the UN garden, followed by the student observance at 9:30. Those in the New York area are welcome to join the Sound of Peace vigil from 4:30-6:00 at the chapel of the Church Center for the United Nations, featuring Amb. Anwarul K. Chowdhury and other special guests. Events on the IDP in New York will include a Peace Day Party in Times Square at 12 Noon http://goodnewsplanet.com/peacedayparty/ and the annual Vigil for International Peace & Ecology http://www.vigil4internationalpeace.org/event.html at the Central Park Band Shell from 10:00-6:00.
Radios Call for Peace
Please help spread the word OUT LOUD on your local radio station! Contact them and encourage them to let everyone know that September 21st is the UN International Day of Peace.
POST YOUR EVENTS!
Remember to post your events on the Culture of Peace website at <http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/>. You’ll find all the resources you need there to make your event a success.
I close with an inspiring appeal from Pope Francis on the situation in Syria:
“May the plea for peace rise up and touch the heart of everyone
so that they may lay down their weapons and let themselves be led by the desire for peace.”
May Peace Prevail on Earth!
