URI - United Religions Initiative



	Saturday, Mar 20, 2010

United Nations

Religions and Traditions

United Nations

URI Supports the United Nations

International Day of Peace

21 September, 2009

Click here to read reports of IDP Celebrations from across the Globe

The International Day of Peace (IDP), observed annually on September 21, was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations as a “day of global ceasefire and non-violence" for "commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and people”.

Under the slogan "WMD - We Must Disarm" this year's campaign is focusing on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's drive to persuade world leaders to work harder for a world free of nuclear weapons, making it safer for you, your children and grandchildren.

On 12 June, 2009, on the eve of the 100-day Countdown to the 2009 IDP the Trustees of the United Religions Initiative, gathered from 23 countries and representing 26 religions for their annual face-to-face meeting in Menlo Park, California, USA, unanimously re-affirmed their proclamation of support for the International Day of Peace.

OBSERVE THE IDP

We encourage all URI Cooperation Circle (CC) member groups to participate in the International Day of Peace. We hope everyone will observe the Minute of Silence at 12 noon (especially in schools, and at your Peace Pole if you have one nearby), adding your prayers, meditation or ceremony for peace. You might like to plan a special event as well, such as an interfaith meeting or a peace concert.

SUPPORT THE CEASEFIRE

A global ceasefire is not just negotiated by governments: it is built by each person when nonviolence is chosen to solve a confrontation. Use IDP to encourage activities promoting nonviolence in your region in support of the ceasefire, including campaigns against crime, domestic violence, etc. Perhaps your mayor or other official will also want to issue a proclamation or make a speech.

Here are some ways to begin:

* Read the Secretary-General's statement

* Sign the We Must Disarm Declaration on the UN Foundation website

* Watch the Peace One Day Video

* Start Tweeting! Go to Twitter, Facebook or MySpace and tell everyone you know to join the campaign! All the information you need is below in the official outreach to the UN NGO community.

We are also seeing major initiatives in the NGO community. Please note that Mayor Akiba of Hiroshima has endorsed the 100-Day Countdown to the IDP on the Mayors for Peace website.

This year, let us galvanize the peace community, people of faith and every sane person on the planet to make the International Day of Peace the tipping point for humankind to finally say 'no!' to nuclear weapons and 'yes!' to peace in one united voice!

MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH!

PLANNED EVENTS

Barcelona, Spain - A 33 member interreligious choir representing 5 faiths, Coral pel la Pau, highlights this large IDP celebration to be held at the Auditorium of Barcelona.

Global - The 7th Annual Week of Global Interreligious Dialogue will take place in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace. The Global Family for Love and Peace Cooperation Circle is a co-organizer of the event. Please check out the GFLP website for more information: www.gflp.org

Melbourne, Australia - COMMON (Centre of Melbourne Multifaith and Others network) invites you all to the Sharing Our Water forum on September 21st Sept. 2009 (UN International Peace Day) and Multifaith Week events. For more information visit www.commonaustralia.com or click here

Manbazar, India - A full day of programming has been organzied by the Manbazar Chandra Memorial CC for the 20th of September. The days' events include a Peace Rally and Prayer, a seminar on "Peace through Selfless Service," and the distribution of fruit to patients at the Manbazar Rural Hospital.

San Francisco, California, USA - There will be a celebration of the IDP at the URI Global Office in the Presidio. Opening with a Peace Pole Meditation, participants will make kites to be sent to Pakistan and the West Bank as part of the Brahma Kumari's Kites for Peace program. These will be followed by a barbecue with music.

Global - Join people across the world as they participate in "A Million Minutes for Peace." Individuals across the glob will stop at high noon and pray for peace for one minute - in their own way. To sign the pledge and find out more please visit the Odyssey Networks website.

Bedford Hills, NY, USA - Unity Made Visible CC will re-dedicate the Peace Pole at Antioch Baptist Church in Bedford Hills, NY on 21 September at 6 pm in a joyous and prayerful ceremony with music.

Kottarakkara, Kerala State, India - There will be a large peace march at the Karickam International Public School with hundreds of students and CC members participating.

Berkeley, CA, USA - On September 25th there will be a forum on Building Global Peace featuring Sarah Talcott, URI's Director of Youth Programs; Rev. Paul Chaffee, a former Global Council Trustee; Amb. Tom Miller, President of the UN-Association USA; and Prof. David Holloway from Stanford University. This event is being sponsored by a number of URI CCs from across the Bay Area.

Buenos Aires, Argentina - URI in partnership with Fundacion 3Milenio and Consejo de Paz of Argentina will celebrate the IDP at the United Nations Square along with a number of organizations. At 12 noon they will join together in support of the Million Minutes of Peace, with each individual praying for peace in their own way and adding theirs to those of people across the globe.

Machu Picchu, Peru - URI Global Council Chair Yoland Trevino and other Indigenous Peoples from Latin America and different parts of the world will have a healing and reconciliation ceremony at this beautiful sacred location high in the Andes.

Cebu City, Philippines - We received this update from Sister Sandra Clemente: We are preparing for the biggest parade yet for the Interfaith International Day of Peace on September 26 starting at 6:30 am.. This will be followed by a program to launch the Good Citizen, the Interfaith and Peace movement for Cebu City. Last July 8, 2009 the city council of Cebu City passed a resolution declaring every September as Interfaith and Peace month starting this year. We have lined up 3 big programs for the day, we are expecting around 8,000 participants.

Kathmandu, Nepal - The Youth Society for Peace (YSP) Cooperation Circle will be holding 7th annual IDP celebration with a number of programs beginning on September 18th. The celebration will begin with an Interfaith Peace Prayer Program at the Shanti Sewa Ashram bringing together youths and adults with Interfaith leaders. The next day they will host a Youth Peace Conference involving 100 students from grades 8, 9, & 10 along with a number of dignitaries and guest speakers. Sunday the 20th they will hold a Peace Art Competition involving 125 students from the Helping Children Study Club of the Shanti Sewa Ashram. Their celebration will culminate with a Inter-School Peace Poetry Competition at the Hindu Vidyapeeth School.

Kampala, Uganda - On Saturday September 19th there will be an interfaith prayer ceremony involving Jews, Hare Krishnas, Muslims, Baha'i's, Christians, Hindus, and others. To be held at the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium the prayer will be followed by a football (soccer) match played between members of the Ugandan Parliament and the Ugandan Sports Press Association teams.

REPORT YOUR PLANS

Help to spread the message of peace by contacting your local newspapers, radio and television. Connect with your local UN Information Centre to coordinate plans.

Web sites where you can announce your IDP observances include:

· General plans: www.internationaldayofpeace.org

· Vigils of prayer/meditation: www.idpvigil.com