Join us for the 100 Day Countdown to Peace Day 2010!
Dear Culture of Peace Initiative Participants (CPI),
The UN Department of Public Information, along with a number of NGOs around the world, have chosen the theme Youth, Peace and Development for this year’s observance of the International Day of Peace. The concept behind this is to connect the Millennium Development Goals and the UN International Year of Youth with the International Day of Peace. The Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) are based upon the premise that development must be for peace. A summit on the Millennium Development Goals will be held at UN headquarters Sept. 20 - 22; www.un.org/millenniumgoals . As part of this, the Stand Up Campaign has shifted its three day worldwide mobilization to Sept. 17-19; last year over 100 million people participated in this event. www.standagainstpoverty.org
Due to the MDG summit, the UN ceremonies for the International Day of Peace will take place on Friday, Sept. 17th. These will include the annual ringing of the Peace Bell by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the student observance, and possibly student participation in the Stand Up Campaign.
100-Day Countdown
The UN’s 100-Day Countdown to the IDP begins on June 13th. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will deliver a message about the International Day of Peace, during which he will ask all nations and people to prepare for this year’s observance. Some of the UN Messengers of Peace - celebrities and world leaders - will also be involved.
Will you join us in the 100 Day Countdown?
We are asking member organizations of the Culture of Peace Initiative to conduct their own 100-Day Countdowns in order to engage your networks to also make plans for this occasion. Among us, all segments of civil society will be involved in this process, including: religious and volunteer groups; NGO’s representating many aspects of Peacebuilding - from care of the environment to promoting human rights; educational institutions; local and grassroots organizations; families and private citizens; businesses and professionals; and the media.
This year marks the close of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace. Let us use this occasion to set the stage for a more widespread and universal observance of the International Day of Peace in future years - observances that showcase sustainable solutions and create practical acts of Peacebuilding.
2010: Africa’s Year of Peace and Security
The African Union has asked it’s 53 nation members to observe the International Day of Peace this year - among all nations, cultures and families. The African Union expects that a day of ceasefire in conflict zones will allow for humanitarian relief, such as vital food, water, mosquito nets and other emergency supplies to be provided to people in those areas. 2010 is Africa’s “Year of Peace and Security” which will culminate on the International Day of Peace, and enable Africans to continue making Peace through education, awareness-raising and empowerment.
Presenting… the CPI Report on Peace Day 2009!
Michael Johnson of Pathways To Peace presented the 2009 annual report of the Culture of Peace Initiative on the International Day of Peace to the UN in April. This report is available at www.internationaldayofpeace.org and www.cultureofpeace.org. View the report by regions around the world! http://bit.ly/cpi_reports
CPI Online Community
In the run up to the 100 day countdown, we encourage you to make connections through the CPI online community: http://bit.ly/cpi_group. The group includes an ever-growing list of more than 500 organization profiles and peacebuilding resources and solutions. The group map can show you Peacebuilders and organizations from around the world, who are part of the CPI network! Our community is hosted on WiserEarth.org, now available in French, Spanish and Portuguese!
Please join and make your presence known on - the International Day of Peace Facebook page. Can you help us reach 20,000 people this week?
Michael Johnson represented Pathways To Peace at the recent UN Summit of Indigenous Peoples on April 20 and plans to encourage indigenous cultures worldwide to observe the International Day of Peace.
You are a pathway to Peace!
May 31st, 2010 at 9:37 pm
I want to be involved. Joan McKniff, retired diplomat
June 1st, 2010 at 6:46 am
May peace reign in every heart, every home, every region and nation, in the whole world. my contribution is prayer daily, fighing for simple every day rights of people around me, encoraging patience and tolerence. making known the good in different cultures, traditions, ethnic groups, enabling respect for the different.
i walk with other groups with hope, love and peace in my heart even amidst the anguish i feel when innocents are targeted.
June 14th, 2010 at 10:24 am
I would appreciate it if you would let me know of the theme of 2010 International Day of Peace designated by the UN.
June 16th, 2010 at 7:23 am
East Spartanburg Rotary partnering with University of South Carolina Upstate to join in on the 100 days to countdown for International Day of Peace. East Spartanburg Rotary and USC Upstate will once again collaborate in hosting their 2nd Annual International Day of Peace Symposium at the University on September 21, 2010.