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International Day of Peace in Armenia
an article by Dr. Gohar Markosyan, President, "Women for Development" NGO
On September 21 the whole world celebrates the International Day of Peace announced by the United Nations organization. A holiday that has already been celebrated for 30 years. This year the UN Department of Public Information jointly with the Embassy of Federal republic of Germany, Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NGO “Women for Development” organized an event on peace and democracy under the slogan “Peace is the mission of UN”. 
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The event was organized within the framework of the International Day of Peace and the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2000 - 2010). The aim of the event was to commemorate the values of Peace and Democracy, to highlight the achievements of the project “Peace and Conflict Resolution Education in schools” being implemented by the NGO “Women for Development”. The representatives of the NGO “WFD” beneficiary schools were also invited to participate in the event.
Maria Dotsenko, UN Department of Public Information Representative, greeted the participants of the event and congratulated them on UN International Day of Peace and the 20th Anniversary of Armenia’s Independence, mentioning that these two holidays nicely coincide. She said: “Peace and democracy are core values of the UN and are crucial for human rights. Every year on International Day of Peace people around the world advocate for peace, dialogue and harmony, and the young have big role in spreading democracy and peace”.
The Ambassador of Federal republic of Germany to Armenia Hans-Jochen Schmidt also congratulated the participants on the 2 holidays and spoke about the Peace Education project being implemented by the NGO “Women for Development” in schools, saying that it should become an example for all the teachers and lecturers teaching their students conflict peaceful resolution methods.
Gohar Markosyan, President of the NGO “Women for Development” spoke in detail about the project “Peace and Conflict Resolution Education in schools”, the gained experience, achievements and future plans. She also spoke about the positive impact of the project quoting the written opinions of international experts, schools directors, parents, teachers and students.
During the event the members of “Peace Education” Center of Gyumri School after G. Byron and the responsible teacher Anna Harutyunyan also spoke about the positive changes that supported peace education, highlighted the influence of the education on both schoolchildren and teachers, spoke about positive changes in the school environment and the recommendations on implementing the project in more schools.
Appreciating the 10-year experience of the NGO “Women for Development” in the sphere of peace, Maria Dotsenko, UN Department of Public Information Representative, granted the NGO “WDF” President and the schools with the Certificate “Friends of UN” for outstanding participation and contribution to peace education.
The event was concluded by the opening of the exhibition “Peace through my eyes” with presentation of the works by Gyumri School N 20 pupils.
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
How are you celebrating Peace Day?,
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Latest reader comment:
It is difficult to find extensive listings of the many events celebrating the International Day of Peace around the world. An exception is the United Religions Initiative which lists events for the IDP 2014 by their affiliates in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, United States and the Philippines.
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