Thursday, September 10, 2009

Dear Culture of Peace Initiative Participants (CPI),

As worldwide attention is building for the global observance of the International Day of Peace on or near September 21, we present ideas for promoting this occasion as well as some inspirational, and creative, stories of events and observances occuring around the world.

Ideas to Promote Peace Day

POST YOUR EVENTS:  Thus, we begin with a reminder to post your events on our website www.cultureofpeace.org or www.internationaldayofpeace.org.  Note:  events posted on either site will automatically show up on both websites.  This will call attention to your observances and also serve to focus the world on the scope of this year’s observances all over the world.  There are events from all over the planet listed already.

PRESS RELEASES:  The Culture of Peace Initiative has sent press releases to writers, editors and program directors for hundreds of newspapers, weekly magazines, television and radio news shows, wire services, and internet newsletters and blogs.  We encourage to get the word out to your media list, too.

FACEBOOK:  Please join thousands of others at our Facebook community at www.facebook.com/peaceday There you can see some of the latest events happening all over the world. You can also post your own stories and links to websites, YouTubes, etc.

FACEBOOK IDEA:  Consider posting the following words (or some variation) on your Facebook page on, or before, the International Day of Peace - and asking others in your network to also do this:  “We hope that people, communities and nations everywhere will participate in this year’s observance of the International Day of Peace on September 21st.  If you agree, please post this as your status today.”

TWITTER:  To let more of the world know your thoughts or plans for Peace Day and to share links and YouTubes on Twitter, please tweet about your plans for Peace Day and add #peaceday in your updates.   If enough of us do this on September 21, #peaceday will appear on Twitter as a “trending topic” and will be followed by thousands.  Together, we have an opportunity to inform millions of people!

YOUTUBE:  Please send YouTube videos about peace to your contacts, as a way of helping this occasion ‘go viral’ all over the internet.

NAMING PROJECT:  Who do you know, who can draw attention to the International Day of Peace?  By getting public figures to mention the International Day of Peace, the media will pay more and more attention to it, and hopefully to your events and activities.  The Culture of Peace has sent information to people such as Barack Obama, Al Gore, Richard Branson, Kofi Annan, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Muhammad Yunus, Ela Bhatt, Gro Brundtland, Fernando Cardoso, Mary Robinson, Nelson Mandela and Ted Turner.  We asked them to publicly remind people of this occasion and of the various UN requests regarding it; we are hopeful that some of these people will bring attention to this occasion.

Preview:  Some of the many 2009 Peace Day Events and Projects!

CUBA:  Pop singer Juanes (who swept the Latin Grammys last year) is having a Peace Without Borders concert in Havana, Cuba on Sept. 20.  The concert is predicted to draw over 600,000 people to the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, will feature Juanes, plus Spanish singer Miguel Bosé, Olga Tañon of Puerto Rico, and Cuban acts Silvio Rodríguez and Los Van Van.  It is already drawing international media attention.  www.juanes.net

FRANCE:  Peace One Day is having their 10th Anniversay Concert in Le Grand Rex in Paris, France on Sept. 19.  Featured Artists include Lenny Kravitz, Keziah Jones, Olivia Ruiz, Ayo, Kasabian, and Charlie WInston! www.peaceoneday.org

OMEGA INSTITUTE:  Omega Institute, a leading conference center for personal and global transformation, has begun featuring the International Day of Peace in their weekly e-newsletters.  They reach thousands of people, including leaders of many disciplines and interests throughout the world.  www.eomega.org

UGANDA:  CRY Uganda is part of the Uganda national committee to plan for UGANDA National Peace Week commemoration. Kotido district will host the national programme, however, various initiatives by partners and other stakeholders have been lined up all over Uganda and the world. Peace is the way, friends.  en-gb.facebook.com/cry.uganda

SOUTH AFRICA:  March for Peace:  This is a call to all South Africans who have had enough of violence in our beautiful country to join in a peaceful march in Johannesburg. Link:  Event page

KENYA:  Kenya will host a Poetry Event.  Link:  Event page

BURMA:  To congregrate on International Peace Day September 21st and pray for peace and democracy in Burma, Thailand and the world while commemorating the September 18th 2007 peaceful monks’ protest in Burma.  democracyforburma.wordpress.com

DENVER, USA:  A Global Call to Service and ‘Journey of Hope’ benefit concert, featuring guest speaker Greg Mortenson, best selling author of Three Cups of Tea and founder of Pennies for Peace, who has built dozens of schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  www.penniesforpeace.org

AFGHANISTAN:  UN Mission in Afghanistan launched a 21 day countdown to International Peace Day with Afghan film stars, singers, sports people and poets who will act as UN peace ambassadors to spread the word across Afghanistan.   Many NGOs and UN agencies are organizing events, which will include thousands of participants! www.unama.unmissions.org

OJAI, USA:  Peace Week, including film screenings of: War Child, Promises and Day After Peace, activities for the whole family and a “Peacemaker’s Challenge” - those who perform acts of peace receive coupons to local businesses!  www.livingpeaceinojai.com

INDIA:  Peace Channel, a peace movement by the youth, will commemorate the International Day of Peace on September 21, with a national-level Peace Seminar and Peace Awards. The event, to be held on September 20 and 21 - on the theme ‘Together, Towards Tomorrow for Peace’ at Holy Cross Campus, Dimapur, will see youths from all over India taking part in the programme.   www.peacechannel.in

SOLOMON ISLANDS:  Observances and news:  bit.ly/22cJXV

BURKINA FASO, AFRICA:  The Peace Water & Wisdom Festival on Sept. 21 - a concert to fund the Clean Water initiative for drilling wells in arid regions of this country, and to provide indigenous wisdomkeepers with a global platform. www.barkafoundation.org

ENGLAND:  The London Week of Peace is a practical application of Peacebuilding and conflict resolution ideas on a city wide scale.  www.weekofpeace.org.uk

ORLANDO, USA:  The Global Peace Film Festival includes films from every continent this year - even Antarctica.  www.peacefilmfest.org

OKINAWA:  Celebration Earth is a culmination of a 6 month festival including environmental activities; peace walks & vigils; proclamations & exhibits; classes, workshops & performances; and a UN Flags of the World Ceremony. www.earthwalker.com

COSTA RICA:  This year’s Global Summit for Ministries and Departments of Peace is in Costa Rica from Sept. 13 to Sept. 21st; the closing ceremony will be on the International Day of Peace and will be open to the public.  Recent news from this group:  Costa Rica has officially created a Dept. of Peace!  www.mfp-dop.org

MONTREAL, CANADA:  Light Up The World.  We invite the citizens of the world to help us create the biggest peace chain ever.  http://nkn.cercledepaix.ca/visits/promo_visit/2313

NEW YORK:  The “Call To Peace” event by the World Peace Prayer Society in NY will include flag ceremonies honoring every state in the USA, the Native American Nations, and all 192 countries of the world.  In addition there will be music, food, nonprofit booths and activities for adults and children, including the Byakko Choir from Japan; the Peace is Possible Chorus; Japanese and Filipino Dancers; Native American and Japanese Taiko Drumming; the Peace Parrots; the Peace Café; Japanese calligraphy, origami and a tea ceremony; crafts and games for peace; a petting zoo and an art exhibitit.  www.worldpeace.org

UNITED NATIONS:  Each year there are celebrations of the International Day of Peace at UN headquarters in New York, where the Secretary-General rings the Peace Bell and leads a minute of silence at noon; this ceremony also includes presentations from many cultures and age groups as well as various UN Messengers of Peace. The International Day of Peace is also observed at UN agencies worldwide.  In addition, UN agencies such as UNICEF have been able to arrange ceasefires on the International Day of Peace, during which humanitarian organizations such as CARE and Doctors Without Borders are able to provide food and medicines to civilian populations affected by conflicts.  One activity in which all people can participate is the UN request for a minute of silence at noon in all time zones - this has now been observed consistently for 27 years.  www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/2009

PODCAST:  The annual International Peace Day podcast will launch a week before September 21st and is now available on iTunes.  The audience last year was over a half million!  The Joan Kenley Show - Conversation Radio On Demand 24/7 www.joankenley.com

WORLDWIDE Events and Projects!

The Global Mala Yoga for Peace Project unites the global yoga community from every continent, school or approach.   www.globalmala.org

The IDP Vigil is an event which thousands of groups worldwide have participated in as a means of highlighting the important role of religious, spiritual and peace communities in the pursuit of community non-violence and world peace.  www.idpvigil.com

Pinwheels to Peace involves 2,500 schools and youth organizations all over the world, leaving thousands of young people - a lasting impression.  www.pinwheelsforpeace.com

From the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict:  An article on events from Sri Lanka to Sweden, from Calgary to Japan.  Link:  Article

11 Days of Global Unity is an annual worldwide promotion of peace and sustainability facilitated by We, The World. There are more than 700 concerts, festivals, webcasts, and other events in over 60 countries culminating on the International Day of Peace.  www.wetheworld.org/11days

Roots & Shoots, a program of the Jane Goodall Institute, is making positive change happen all over the world.  Young people craft giant peace dove puppets from recycled materials and fly the doves in their communities - from the high peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro to the low plains of Kansas, peace doves fly, held high by hopeful hands. www.rootsandshoots.org

Service for Peace has programs in many countries throughout the world; through Service for Peace the International Day of Peace has been observed in places as diverse as Ghana, Bulgaria, Thailand, Ukraine, Japan, Ivory Coast and Israel. www.serviceforpeace.org

The United Religions Initiative has actively participated in Peace Day observations since 2000, with diverse events set up by hundreds of Interfaith Cooperation Circles.  They urge all religions and faith-based organizations to issue their own proclamations endorsing the observance of the International Day of Peace.  www.uri.org

The Valentine Peace Project encourages people to send poetry, flowers, cards and videos as expressions of peace and love.  They work with schools, ‘fair trade’ businesses, and Pax Christi.  www.valentinepeaceproject.org

Children’s International Summer Village (CISV) - The Human Arrows Project is in 60 countries.  This year CISV is standing together as a world wide Peace organisation focusing on just one conflict. By pointing towards the conflict in Lithuania, from all around the world we hope to make people aware of the different types of conflicts that are going on. And that not everything is about guns and wars, but sometimes conflicts lie deeper, and touch us in a way we did not expect.   www.cisv.org

ON-LINE:  A 24-Hour World Peace Celebration & Global Broadcast to unite the world community will be available at www.cultureofpeace.org This broadcast will highlight the vitally important work of the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies with video presentations of the “UN in Action”.  The program will include the official ceremoney at UN Headquarters, featuring Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and other UN dignitaries, as well as high profile UN Messengers of Peace such as Michael Douglas, Jane Goodall, Princess Haya of Jordan and Elie Weisel.  In addition, this “Peace Day” internet broadcast will include the work of many organizations and individuals around the world dedicated to creating a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world.  Also featured will be Michael Franti’s “Power to the Peaceful” celebration in San Francisco and The Jane Goodall Institute’s ‘Roots and Shoots’ Day of Peace Festival in Santa Monica, CA.  For more information:  www.unityfoundation.org

Thank you, CPI Participants, for your dedication to building a culture of Peace for future generations on Peace Day and every day.

CPI Coordinator Michael Johnson, CPI Contributing Writer Melvin Weiner, and CPI Outreach Intern Michael Kwan

Pathways To Peace (PTP) is the International Secretariat for the Culture of Peace Initiative, a designated UN Peace Messenger Initiative.  PTP was responsible for getting the International Day of Peace printed onto calendars worldwide this year.  PTP created the CPI website, which serves the 3,000 organizations and countless projects in 200 nations that participate in this local/global Peacebuilding initiative.  Pathways To Peace also created the International Day of Peace website, which serves all of humanity.  For more information or to support our efforts:  www.pathwaystopeace.org

Acting in concert, we do make a difference in the quality of our lives, our institutions, our environment and our planetary future.   Through cooperation, we manifest the essential Spirit that unites us amidst our diverse ways.

In Afghanistan, UNICEF (UN’s Children Fund ) and UNHCR (UN’s Refugee Agency) are organizing sport events and art contests for youth. UNAMA is holding peace discussions with religious leaders. DIAG (Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups) is organizing ceremonies to hand over weapons. YIAA (Youth in Action Association) is organizing a Peace march! Thousands of youth are expected to participate. In addition, eight radio stations and two TV stations in the eastern region are broadcasting UNAMA produced 30 second PSAs on Peace Day!

And hopefully - many more lives will be saved through a ceasefire which will allow polio vaccinations for children!

9/1/09 - An Afghan youth puts up a poster for International Peace Day during its launching ceremony at the office of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan today. (AP Photo)

Video:  30 second TV spot on Peace Day in Afghanistan

For more on Peace Day in Afghnistan, visit the UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) Peace Day website.

Thursday, September 3, 2009:

Dear Culture of Peace Initiative Participants (CPI),

It is time to promote this year’s events for the International Day of Peace. The following is provided to supplement and enhance your press releases and give a sense of the scope of this year’s global observance. Please feel free to use any of the text from the generic pressrelease.

Note: your press release will be most effective if it includes specific information on activities that your organization is conducting including dates and times, locations and descriptions, and information on your organization and a contact person. Please also include this information in your press releases.

Inform Your Community Using the Media. What is a Press Release?

“A press release is pseudo-news story, written in third person, that seeks to demonstrate to an editor or reporter the newsworthiness of a particular person, event, service or product” Before you compose your press release check out this website for some effective tips: http://www.publicityinsider.com/release.asp

[YOUR LOGO]

Contact: John Doe FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

Telephone:555-555-5555

Cell Phone: 555-555-5555

Email: JohnDoe@zmail.peace

THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE TO BE OBSERVED WORLDWIDE

Global and Local Observance Planned in Every UN Nation State

This year’s annual global observance of the International Day of Peace, September 21 is capturing the attention of people, communities and nations worldwide. Based on last year’s reports, it is estimated that there will be over 10,000 events on the planet this year, sponsored by thousands of organizations, and that over 200 million people will participate. These will range from ceasefires, during which humanitarian aide is administered, to religious and interfaith services. They will include educational activities and volunteer programs; government proclamations, media events, and many types of activities by human rights, environmental, cultural and civic groups to draw attention to their particular aspect of ‘peacebuilding’; there will also be numerous private observances and events by many businesses and professionals. Noted celebrities as well as religious and government leaders historically speak out on behalf of this occasion. There will be vigils, performances, workshops, ceremonies, fundraising events, peace parties, community service projects, exhibits, walks, films, letter writing campaigns, peace fairs and much more.

There will be large-scale celebrations in cities such as Sydney, Okinawa, Amsterdam, Tehran, Geneva, Paris, London, Montreal, Havana, Buenos Aires, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Honolulu as well as in countries as diverse as Costa Rica, Dubai, India, Uganda, Lebanon, Turkey, Argentina and The Philippines. In addition, this year, for the first time ever, hundreds of calendar publishers all over the world have printed the International Day of Peace on their calendars; this initiative alone will reach a billion people. Together, these efforts can have both global impact and historical significance as our children observe ‘Peace Day’ annually and incorporate it’s meaning into their lives - year round.

Created in 1981 by unanimous resolution of the United Nations, the observance of the International Day of Peace has grown exponentially in recent years and now reaches every level of society. One way that anyone can participate is to observe a minute of silence at noon in all time zones worldwide, as requested by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The UN also arranges ceasefires, during which humanitarian aide is provided to civilian populations affected by conflicts. There are ceremonies at UN Headquarters and all facilities worldwide. This year the UN has created the WMD Campaign to call awareness of the need for reducing weapons of mass destruction as well as nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The UN promotes this occasion via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, YouTube, text messages, radio, TV, print and public service announcements.

In addition to UN activities, thousands of international and grassroots organizations create events to promote their particular aspects of peacebuilding - whether they address human rights, the environment, education, health care, poverty, hunger, fair trade, or any of a number of other such worthwhile causes. Many of these organizations work with The Culture of Peace Initiative (CPI); a UN designated Peace Messenger Initiative with over 3,000 affiliated organizations. For more information CPI maintains the following websites: www.cultureofpeace.org and www.internationaldayofpeace.org . On these websites people can learn more about this occasion; they can locate events worldwide; and they can post their own events. Note, events posted on the Culture of Peace website automatically show up on the International Day of Peace website, which receives millions of visits during the month of September each year.

Peace Day Supporters

While there are thousands of organizations worldwide that observe the International Day of Peace every year, there are some that promote Peace Day among their members and encourage participation, to an extent that it results in large scale events and impact. These organizations usually post information and material on their websites, and present their own lists of Peace Day events online. We encourage you to browse this information at the following link: http://internationaldayofpeace.org/participate/peace_day_supporters

We Welcome Donations

Pathways to Peace manages the Culture of Peace Initiative (CPI) website, which serves the 3,000 organizations and countless projects in 200 nations that Participate in this intergenerational, intercultural local/global Peacebuilding initiative. PTP serves as international secretariat of CPI, and additional funding is needed to support the website and the hardworkingCPI Coordination Team, who volunteer their time for Peace Day. They send out newsletters, update the websites, post on Facebook and Twitter, go to the United Nations, answer e-mails from Participants and reach out to organizations. Please donate if you can! You can also make a public donation through our Facebook Cause.

Thank you, CPI Participants, for your dedication to building a culture of Peace for future generations on Peace Day and every day.

CPI Coordinator Michael Johnson, CPI Outreach Intern - Michael Kwan

Pathways To Peace is the International Secretariat for the Culture of Peace Initiative

Here are two ideas on celebrating Peace Day from school teacher James J. Bresky of Winter Haven, FL.  Thank you James!

Peace Bell

To inaugurate the day, the “Peace Bell” is rung at UN Headquarters.  The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents.  It was given as a gift by the Diet of Japan, and is referred to as “a reminder of the human cost of war.”  The inscription on its side reads:  ”Long live absolute world peace”.

What can be done in your community:

1.  Church bells in our communities can ring in accord with the ringing of the Peace Bell at the United Nations on September 21.

2.  Mayors and public officials can honor the day with formal proclamations.

Dream Trees

A “Dream Tree” is simply a Christmas Tree, which bears all the recognized symbols of a world at peace; the tree is topped by a lighted, gold star (gold is a symbol of something precious, a star the symbol of humankinds’ highest ideals, and light to scatter the darkness of violence).

The recognized symbols are:  The peace symbol (three prong fork in a circle); dove with green branch in its mouth, world globes, children dressed in culture garments, flags of different nations; bells, candles, broken rifles, paper cranes (Japanese origami); the word “peace” in various languages, and multi colored lights (diversity).  Symbols can be made of laminated paper, baker’s clay or other medium.

The Dream Tree can be dedicated in formal lighting or in  a ceremony.  During the season various choral groups can “carol” in the various languages in the community (For Christians, an image of the Baby Jesus can be placed on the star topper or into the tree center.  Jesus is recognized as the “Prince of Peace”.  The theme of the holiday season (whether secular or Christian) is “Peace on Earth…Goodwill to Humankind”.

This symbol is one which is familiar to children and emphasizes peace.  Little peace ornaments can be distributed and the request made to put them on home trees and unite the Dream Tree to the home celebrations.  Peace is not a concept to be feared or ignored; especially in caring for our children and their attitudes regarding themselves and peace in our world.  Publish your communities display on local news and newspapers!

Every year for one week in September, Londoners of all age groups and cultures come together to celebrate Peace in communities across our great city during the London Week of Peace.

Activities take place in communities in every Borough in London along with high profile central events including:
The Peace Awards and Fund raising Dinner,
The 5K Peace Run
The Trafalgar Square Concert and Talent Quest.
and The Peace Debate.

This year the Week of Peace will take place from the 20th - 27th of September 2009.

For information on geting involved please contact the Peace Alliance on:
020 8808 9439 or info[at]weekofpeace.org.uk

http://www.weekofpeace.org.uk