All posts by CPNN Coordinator

About CPNN Coordinator

Dr David Adams is the coordinator of the Culture of Peace News Network. He retired in 2001 from UNESCO where he was the Director of the Unit for the International Year for the Culture of Peace, proclaimed for the Year 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly.

Latin America: The International Day of Peace

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A survey by CPNN

The following events were listed during the week of 17-24 September in “Google News” under the key phrases “Día Internacional de la Paz”, “Dia Internacional da Paz,” or “International Day of Peace. For events elsewhere in the world click here.

map of latin america
(Click on image to enlarge)

As seen on the map above, there were articles about 33 events in 14 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Here are excerpts from the articles.

Havana, Cuba: With the assistance of academics and representatives of social movements, workers and peasants from 12 countries will meet in Havana from 21 to 23 September, the first international seminar on Realities and Challenges of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.

Bogota, Colombia: More than 120 artists gathered in the central Plaza de Bolivar to invite Colombians to “weave peace” through a concert that combines music, dance and multimedia projections. Speakers included 17 actors on stage, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Colombia Opera Chorus and members of the Victus laboratory – made up of victims of armed conflict, a metaphor for the absurdity of war.

San Jose, Costa Rica: About 300 young people gathered in Independence Park and the Cartago Municipal Amphitheatre to celebrate the International Day of Peace with interactive and educational activities that culminated with the presentation of the results of the edition 2016 of the contest “Let’s sing for peace “.

Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico: During the ceremony commemorating the International Day of Peace, mayor Maria Luisa Gonzalez Achem invited the children and young people present to make peace a way of life, founded on the values ​​of respect and cordiality. The Mayor was accompanied by students of the primary school Felicitas Cordero Villela whom she invited to spread a message of peace among their peers and family, and to avoid actions such as bullying.

Caracas, Venezuela: State agencies conducted a conservatory in Nueva Esparta, aimed at young people of this island in order to promote peace and prevent violence in communities. The activity, part of the International Day of Peace, was held in the House of Culture Manuel Placido Maneiro Pampatar, located in the municipality Maneiro, where 50 young people participated.

Ushuaia, Argentina: The International Day of Peace was celebrated in Ushuaia Municipality with the undersecretary for Political Affairs and Community Relations, Mirta Oriz, who said that “peace is a journey, not a destination. It is directly related with our daily actions, which have to do with how we relate with the boss, with neighbors, with our dependents, with the family; and with what we do every day. ”

Santiago, Chile: The representatives of different religions and spiritual traditions, with active communities in Chile, gathered to pray on Wednesday 21 September, generating a space of fraternity and deep spirituality in the Hall of San Ignacio de Santiago. The slogan was “Peace is Love made Coexistence”. Representatives and religious leaders of Judaism, Buddhism, Mapuche, Islam, Sikhism, pentecostal, Baha’i Faith, Orthodox, mainline Protestant churches and Brahma Kumaris attended. The Catholic Church was represented by Mons. Jorge Concha y Rev. P. Jose Manuel Arenas.

Vicente Lopez, Argentina: Under the slogan “Build Peace Together in our community, country and planet “, the Civil Association Mil Milenios and the Bethlehem Community organized an event for the International Day of Peace. They called on all individuals and educational, civic and governmental institutions to share activities, workshops and reflections as a way of building a culture of peace.

Valenia, Carabobo, Venezuela: The Crime Prevention Division of Carabobo State developed cultural and recreational activities to commemorate the International Day of Peace.
Their event, which was took place in the municipality of San Joaquin, started with a walk from the Indiana neighborhood to the Plaza Bolivar of that city, where attendees enjoyed theatrical plays and other activities to promote peace.

Apatzingan, Michoacan, Mexico: In the commemorative framework of the International Day of Peace, the State Government and the City Hall of Apatzingan celebrated the day with various civic, recreational and cultural activities that were attended by municipal and state authorities as well as basic level, upper middle and upper level institutions of the municipality.

Moquegua, Peru: Students from the college Juan Scarsi Valdivia marched through the main streets of their district of Samegua. The family prosecutor Mirtha Diana Morales Portilla explained that such a mobilization seek to encourage a culture of peace in the students as well as the general population. Another similar march takes place in the town center of Chen Chen. Meanwhile in the province of Ilo, William Prescott college students went to the Provincial Municipality to deliver a letter of peace to the mayor, William Valdivia Davila.

Mexico City, Mexico: The collective, “CPAZ” composed of 15 civil associations, will perform two activities for the commemoration of the International Day of Peace. The will meet at Chapultepec Avenue where 15 associations will carry out different activities, with the objective to serve the needs of everyone.

​​Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic: Several institutions celebrated World Peace Day with various events. A joint effort of the Office of the First Lady, the Archbishop of Santiago, City Hall and Local Education, concentrated hundreds of school and public officials, in an event entitled “In peace we live better”. For his part, Mayor Abel Martinez, called on the people of Santiago to work for a culture of peace.

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Provincial senator Sebastian Galmarini participated in the celebration of the International Day Peace which was organized by the civil association Mil Milenios de Paz and the Belem Community in the Quinta Trabucco of Vicente Lopez; The theme of the meeting which brought together educational, civic and government institutions was “Building Peace Together in our community, country and planet.” The president of Mil Milenios de Paz, Inés Palomeque, invited the legislator to sign the Peace Accord.

Sullana, Peru: More than 100 schools that take part in the programFiscales Escolares marched through the main streets of the city, sensitizing the population throuch a parade called “For the International day of Peace and National day to Combat Trafficking in Persons.”

Cozumel, Mexico : In order to celebrate the “International Day of Peace” the municipal government held a very emotional ceremony that honored the members of the Student council of the editions 2014, 2015, 2016. The youth representative Niza Teresita Vivas Chacón, who had been Municipal President for a Day in 2014, expressed their desire for world peace.

(Article continued in the right column)

(Click here for the original version of this article in Spanish)

Question for this article

What has happened this year (2016) for the International Day of Peace?

(Article continued from the left column)
Manizales, Colombia: The chief negotiator with the FARC, Humberto de la Calle Lombana, was one of the participants in Manizales in the “March for Peace”. The Secretary General of the mayor of Manizales, Jhon Robert Osorio, said that “this activity aims to bring together people who support peace in our country. Peace is a constitutional right of and today as citizens we are making that right tangible.”

Santiago del Estero, Argentina: Organized by the Circle Dance Group of Santiago del Estero, there will be a meeting to celebrate the International Day of peace. The circle dances have been part of this tribute for several years and since 2015 they have been part of the activities of the Peace Council of Argentina.

Tunja, Boyaca, Colombia: To commemorate the international day of peace, the biggest event will take place in San Pablo de Borbur where at least 300 young leaders from 14 to 28 years old will meet to share experiences during the First Meeting of Youth for Peace of Western Boyaca. They are young leaders from the municipalities of Chiquinquirá, Buenavista, Coper, La Victoria, San Miguel de Sema, Pauna, Quípama, Muzo, Briceño, Caldas, Maripí, Otanche, Tununguá, San Pablo de Borbur y Saboya. On Friday and Saturday, they participate in different academic, cultural and educational activities.

Viedma, Argentina: Paper cranes and 24 degree heat was the perfect way to enjoy the first day of spring with various artistic and cultural events in parallel for World Peace Day. Over a thousand paper cranes were displayed.

Cartagena, Colombia: For an activity, held in the framework of the celebration of the International Day of Peace, students read, listened to and wrote experiences related to peacebuilding. “Adults talk of ‘Yes or No’ because they are the ones who can vote in the plebiscite, but the children were not asked about this although it is they who will inherit a country at war or at peace,” said the rector Olga Acosta, who added that “what we say on this day is that children can also decide about peace.”

Maiquetía, Vargas, Venezuela: The people of Vargas raised their voices for peace and respect for human rights during a demonstration in Maiquetia, a populous parish of Vargas state, which marked the beginning of activities of the International Week of Peace, in response to the guidelines of the President of the Republic, Nicolas Maduro, to reject the intentions of those who, from the right, want to promote the culture of violence to destabilize the country.

Zacatepec, Mexico: The regional competition “Painting a World for the Right to peace “organized by the CDHEM was attended by about 200 middle school students in the southern region. It aimed to promote peace among young people, against the scenario of violence taking place in the country.

Catamarca, Argentina: On the International Day of Peace and with the presence of the governor Lucia Corpacci, the International Forum for Peace and Human Values, was launched. It is unprecedented because it is the first such forum in Argentina composed of government representatives and civil society. The forum’s objectives is to promote education, culture and research in different fields of knowledge and human activity; promote human values ​​and solidarity especially, in all manifestations of social life

Puebla, Mexico: As part of the commemoration of the Day International peace, along with a free concert at the Auditorium of the Reformation, the 2016 Conference for peace officially opened in Puebla, a series of events and activities that aim to promote the culture of peace . From September 21 to October 5 with a closing concert in the BUAP, the Days of Peace will be held in various parts of the city, with 20 free activities among which are concerts, conservatories and workshops.

Tijuana, Mexico: This year’s March for Peace will take place in this border city. According to the organizers, led by the collective Tijuana Propone, “the march was born from the initiative to promote unity and to add a symbol of peace for the city.” To participate, the organizers are urging people to wear white clothing as a symbol of peace and unity. This edition will be the fourth annual walk for peace, celebrating the International Day of Peace; previous editions have drawn more than five thousand participants.

Florianopolis, Brazil: Florianopolis wants to become the first capital of World Peace. The was revealed by Dulce Magalhães, President of the 10th World Peace Forum. And the title may be merited thanks to the 200 people who participated in a flash mob (immediate mobilization) in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday, the International Day of Peace. Moving to the sound of a Hindu mantra and the rhythm of samba, teachers and students of dance, physical education teachers, students of public and private networks and young peace activists from Spain, Italy and Egypt presented a show to call attention to the opening of the Forum.

São José dos Campos, Brazil: The event “I offer peace to you”, an exchange of ideas, ideals and inspiring actions that lead to inner peace, will take place in Spider Vicentina Park on September 25, in celebration of the International Day of peace. There will be space for children’s stories, children’s yoga and music. A therapists corner will provide free application of Reiki, massage and Pranic healing. Everyone can participate in the conferences and experiences, yoga, Chinese body practices, and collective picnic.

Teresina, Piauí, Brazil: In celebration of the International Day of peace, the Public Ministry of the State of Piauí promoted a conference on the culture of peace in the auditorium of the State College Zacharias de Goes – Liceu Piauiense. The initiative promotes the struggle against school problems such as discipline and bullying, among other issues.

San Martin [Caribbean]: As part of the International Day of Peace the UNESCO Elementary School Aline Hanson Sandy Ground “The Friendly School” is organizing its peace march on Wednesday. For 3 years now, the UNESCO school in Sandy Ground, celebrated the International Peace Day in the streets of the neighborhood, with a march which involved the educational community as a whole.

St Croix, Virgin Islands: Peace advocates filled the Evans Center at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus, on Friday to celebrate World Peace Day with poetry, song and motivational speeches.

Haiti: The United Nations in Haiti commemorated the International Day of Peace with the launch of the CD “Vwa Ayiti Pou Lapé” (Voices of Haiti for Peace), result of 18 months of collaborative work between James Germain, Emeline Michel and Beethova Obas, renowned Haitian artists who have held workshops for over 200 young singers and musicians of sensitive areas from 10 cities. A total of ten songs reflecting the musical mosaic of Haiti and combining many influences of musical styles that this Caribbean countries make up this album; each of them recalls that the future of Haiti requires stability and a rejection of any form of violence.

Barbados: Hundreds of Barbadians took part in yesterday’s Walk For Peace in The City. Among the local charities, groups and organisations represented were: Lions Club Barbados, members of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), Junior Chamber International (JCI) Barbados and the Barbados Defence Force.
BWU General Secretary, Toni Moore; Member of Parliament for St. Joseph, Dale Marshall; the Barbados Labour Party’s candidate for St. Philip West, John King; Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Hope Transplant International, Reverend Michael Steele, also took part in the Walk.

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Africa: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

A survey by CPNN

The following events were listed in “Google News” during the week of September 17-14 under the key words “International day of peace” and “Journée internationale de la paix.” It is possible that there were articles in other local languages that are not listed here. For events elsewhere in the world, click here.

map of africa idp
(Click on image to enlarge)

As seen on the map above, there were articles about 16 events in 15 African countries.

Here are excerpts from the articles.

Burkina Faso: The Association of veterans, retired military, widows and orphans of war marked the event with a walk for peace. Who better than them can appreciate the value of peace?

Mali: The Malian Federation of Clubs , Centers and Associations of UNESCO, in collaboration with the GENOVICO program, commemorated the day with a panel discussion on the theme: “Culture of peace in schools and universities.”

Senegal: The world-renowned singer Youssou N’Dour sent a strong message to the world. “On 21 September 2016, I invite all nations and peoples to cease hostilities, and to eliminate causes of conflict.”

Madagascar: The ROTARY Club of Antananarivo Analamanga Ainga and the Regional Tourist Office marked the day by distributing pots of honey in the Garden of Antaninarenina. Traditionally, honey is a symbol of abundance and wholeness in the Malagasy society.

Togo: Togo- WANEP in collaboration with the Peace and Security Network for Women in ECOWAS held a round table to involve women in the peace process and development in Togo and elsewhere.

Casamance, Senegal: The Women’s platform for peace in Casamance, in the company of their sisters from Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, organized a series of activities around the theme of “The sustainable development goals as components of peace”

(Article continued in the right column)

(Click here for the original version of this article in French)

Question for this article

What has happened this year (2016) for the International Day of Peace?

(Article continued from the left column)

Rwanda, Burundi and DRC: Fifteen hundred young people from Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo met in Goma to discuss peace. They took part in workshops on peace as well as a charity concert.

Algeria: On the occasion of the international Day of peace, the wilaya of Mostaganem organized a ceremony for the Emir Abdelkader prize, given to three personalities who contributed to the promotion of peace: Federico Mayor from Spain, Raymond Chretien from Canada and Lakhdar Brahimi from Algeria.

Dungu, Haut-Uélé, DRC: Over eleven thousand young students from Dungu in Haut Uélé province were sensitized on the culture of peace, during a workshop organized by the Youth Forum for the development of Dungu.

Guinea: The Convention of non-state actors of Guinea ( CANEG) and the African Crisis Group (ACG), two organizations of the civil society, organized a forum on peacebuilding in Guinea.

Benin: The executive president of the Pan African Social Prospects Centre, Albert Tevoedjre, called on Africans to learn to live together with a view to establishing lasting peace on the continent.

Nigeria: In collaboration with Edizwine Bar, the Coalition of youth leaders of the Niger Delta organized a peace march with a concert featuring top talent and regional artists.

South Sudan: The United Nations’ Funds, Programmes and Agencies, and the peacekeeping mission organized a number of events across the country, in collaboration with the National Platform for Peace and Reconciliation (NPPR) and other non-governmental organisations; alongside the launch of the 100 days of peace activism; a platform for all voices calling for peace, healing, and reconciliation to unite and send powerful messages to leaders and calling for a peaceful resolution to the current crisis.

Liberia: Delivering the keynote address at the indoor ceremony of the International Day of Peace held at the City Hall of Monrovia, The Executive Director of the Peace Building Office, Edward Mulbah, said that while Liberia had made tremendous progress made over the years to address the root causes of the 14 years of civil war, it was important to know that there were still challenges.

Rwanda: According to the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, the day brings together several non-governmental organisations, international peace organisations, religious leaders and the local communities under the theme, “Building Blocks for Peace: The Role of the Youth in Promoting Sustainable Peace and Development.”.

South Africa: In partnership with UN Volunteers and ACCORD, students from Boston Media House and the Tshwane University of Technology interacted with peacekeepers in gaining a better understanding of the work of the UN in conflict resolution, peace and security.

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Mexico: Mancera opens the International Forum of ‘Mayors for Peace’

. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION .

An article Excelsior (Reprinted as a non-commercial use)

Prime minister, Miguel Angel Mancera, opened the International Forum of “Mayors for Peace” aimed at combating violence worldwide. The capital is a vice-president of the non-governmental organization “Mayors for Peace”, which involves 132 cities in 161 countries.

mayors
(Click on photo to enlarge.)

The event, organized by the Secretary of Social Development of the capital, called for the promotion of peace and eradication of violence in the world, through actions such as voluntary disarmament and social inclusion.

In that respect, the Minister said that his administration carries out various actions to promote peace through social programs such as “Por tu Familia Desarme Voluntario”, “El Médico en Tu Casa”, “10 X la Infancia” and the recent creation of “Hospital de las Emociones.”

He said a permanent task is to build more egalitarian cities, where conflicts over lack of inclusion are avoided: “how to prevent violence is by avoiding the causal conflicts and by developing a long-range program that involves the environment, access to water, food and education. Regarding the environment his government is working with the Climate Leadership Group (C40), and has joined the Food Policy Agreement of Milan to favor the creation of fair and sustainable food systems.

(Article continued in the right column)

(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)

Question for this article

What has happened this year (2016) for the International Day of Peace?

(Article continued from the left column)

During this forum, which is held during the International Day of Peace, five working groups and the keynote address will be developed.

In addition there will be demonstration of the destruction of weapons collected by the program “For Your Family, Voluntary Disarmament” and the exchange of war toys for educational toys.

Roundtables during the first day of work will incude: “Practices of Local Governments for a Culture of Peace”; “Challenges of Local Governments faced with new threats at the Global Level” and “The Role of Local Governments for Peace Building in Latin America and the Caribbean”.

Speakers at the forum include the coordinator of the Global Network of Safer Cities UN Habitat; the mayor of Frogn, Norway, Thore Vestby; and the director and representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Mexico, Nuria Sanz. In addition, the director of Peace Boat, Kawasaki Akira; the Mayors for Peace coordinator in North America, Jackie Cabasso; the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Mexico, Mark Manly; and the representative of Granollers, Spain, Carme Barbany. Also participating are the mayors of Cartago, Costa Rica, Rolando Rodriguez; Managua, Nicaragua, Daisy Torres; the Alderman of San Jose Costa Rica, Fernando Jimenez and Professor at the National Pedagogical University Paolo Pagliai.

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Peace One Day 2015

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Excerpts from the report of Peace One Day

The Peace One Day 2015 Report found that in 2015, around 10% of the world population was aware of peace day and its activities. An estimated 1.5 billion people were exposed to Peace Day messages through activities ranging from dances to media campaigns

peaceoneday
A frame from the Peace One Day Video

2015 media campaigns:
Close to 130 million individuals were made aware of Peace Day through collaborative social media campaigns – the UN’s #ForgiveforPeace and USIP’s #PeaceDayChallenge initiatives had 2 billion impressions.

2015 faith groups:
Religious bodies and leaders, including the Catholic Church, the World Council of Churches, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the World Jewish Congress, HH Dalai Lama, Sri Karunamayi, and United Sikhs made over 300 million people aware.

2015 government & UN:
6 million people were made aware through government & UN activities, including the African Union’s Make Peace Happen campaign, and programmes across different UN agencies.

2015 corporate activities:
Corporate activities made close to 170 million aware. Burger King’s McWhopper Peace proposal to McDonald’s generated close to 9 billion impressions and was the single highest contributor towards generating awareness of Peace Day in 2015. Other majorcampaigns included Google’s homepage feature, and Coca-Cola’s Peace Day Anthem ONE.

Iconic monuments across the world were turned into art installations, including the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Austria, the Pyramids in Egypt, the Olympic Stadium in China, and Museu Oscar Niemeyer in Brazil.

In partnership with Zumba Fitness Headquarters in Miami, the #Dance4Peace campaign produced over 600 videos across 67 countries

Question for this article
FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global

One day, one million strong choir on International Day of Peace

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An article from Independent Catholic News

Choirs and singers across the whole world got together to send a message of peace and unity on International Day of Peace. A million people were involved in One Day One Choir, a global choral initiative started in 2014 by singer Jane Hanson to mobilise the power of singing to unite people globally.

choir
A frame from the video of One Day One Choir

A flash mob in Trafalgar Square, London, led by choir leaders Jeremy Haneman and Tom Morley, brought together singers for an impromptu performance of songs about peace.

Among the singers was 3FF’s intercultural choir the Mixed Up Chorus, which has been involved in One Day One Choir since its founding. Eli Tamir, Mixed Up Chorus member and coordinator, said: “Music is a universal language that spans cultures and can be a powerful force for understanding. Singing on Peace Day is our way of showing that there is always more that unites us than divides us. If we can sing together, we can live well together.”

In the rest of the UK, singing started in the morning and continued throughout the day in a huge range of venues and settings – from community halls to Canary Wharf, from playgrounds to prisons, faith centres, concert halls, offices and open spaces. Bradford, Coventry, Truro and Lincoln cathedrals and York Minster dedicated their evensongs to One Day One Choir, and choirs in Cornwall, Leeds, Manchester took part. Groups, schools and colleges from 40+ countries, including Iraq, Pakistan and Iran, joined in.

Jane Hanson, founder of the project – who was at the Trafalgar Square event – created the initiative with the vision of mobilising the ‘biggest choir in the world’, using the power of singing together, for unity and peace by 2018 – the 100th anniversary year of the commemoration of WW1.

Questions for this article
FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global

Africa: CEDEAO: Women are called on to establish a durable peace

. WOMEN’S EQUALITY .

An article by Tata Sane for Le Soleil

Women have always been the fundamental actors in the search for peace. This was reiterated yesterday in the meeting organized by the Working Group, “Women, Peace and Security in West Africa”, in partnership with the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (Unowas). The activity is held in preparation for the International Day of Peace, edition 2016. It is, according to the representative of Senegal on the working group “Women, Peace and Security in West Africa,” a favorable opportunity to reflection and exchange on the mechanisms of action and intervention of women and youth to consolidate peace and sustainable security in the Sahel which has been strongly shaken recently by the threats of extremists.

cedeao
(Click on photo to enlarge.)

Diago Ndiaye believes that facing the terrorist threats that spare no nation, women must play their role in order to build a lasting peace. In his message issued on the occasion of this day, the Secretary-General of the United Nations stated that “peace can not be reduced to a simple truce. Peace means building on a global scale, a society in which people live free of poverty and everyone benefits from prosperity.” Therefore, sustainable development is essential for the establishment of a stable peace. Respect for human rights is also a prerequisite. “The lack of resources is often the cause of conflicts. Therefore, we must rely on the sustainable development program for 2030 to prevent conflicts by ensuring that no one is left behind,” added the Secretary-General.

(Article continued in the right column)

(Click here for the original French version of this article.)

Question for this article

What has happened this year (2016) for the International Day of Peace?

(Article continued from the left column)

A high-level panel on the role and position of women and youth in the processes and peace and security programs in Senegal was scrutinized. Considering the theme “Women’s Leadership, peace, security, conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding: What role for women? “Dr. Christiane Agboton Johnson recalled that the 17 sustainable development goals that have been chosen for this year all contribute to the building of peace.

The involvement of women and youth

Speaking of women’s role, Ms. Agboton remarks that all women have a role to play at different levels. However, she wondered how this can be done so that women become a force for change. “Today, after all is said and done, has this potential been realized? Women represent 50% of the population, but, nevertheless, conflicts persist. This is the meaning of my question about how they can become a force for change, “she said. The gender adviser to the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (Unowas) recalled Resolution 2250 of the United Nations on youth, peace and security.

Agathe Telou believes that this resolution comes at a time when all players require the involvement of young people in search of peace worldwide. “This resolution recognizes the efforts that young people provide to help establish peace and security in the ECOWAS space,” she advised. Mrs. Agathe Telou addressed the sub-theme “Youth, Peace and Security: Resolution 2250 of the UN Security Council.”

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

African Union: Call to ‘silence the guns’ on #InternationalDayofPeace

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An article from Independent Online – South Africa

Johannesburg – The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Nkosozana Dlamini-Zuma, has called for the “silencing of the guns” in Africa as the world commemorates International Day of Peace. “Today, Africa joins the rest of the world in marking the International Day of Peace or – Peace Day. Today, the African Union is engaging its Member States, and all its partners at political, institutional, private sector, civil society and community levels, to encourage all citizens to rally to the core of ‘silencing the guns’ campaign in Africa by 2020,” read a Wednesday press release by the AUC Peace and Security department.

African Union
caption: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Nkosozana Dlamini-Zuma, has called for the silencing of the guns in Africa as the world commemorates International Day of Peace. File picture: Salvatore Nolfi. Credit: EPA

This year’s theme for Peace Day is: “The Sustainable Development Goals; Building Blocks for Peace.”

Many AU Member States and their leaders are increasingly taking ownership of the SDGs, but more importantly of Agenda 2063: Africa’s blueprint for economic growth and social transformation.

“However, let us not forget that for as long as the gunfire continues to disrupt the tranquility of our blossoming societies and haunt the safety and security of our citizens, particularly of our women and girls, we will not achieve these noble aspirations for our people,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

(Article continued in the right column)

Question for this article

What has happened this year (2016) for the International Day of Peace?

(Article continued from the left column)

It is with this in mind that, the African Union declared 2016 the, “Year of Human Rights with particular focus on the Rights of Women”.

“It is disheartening that, in 2016, I continue to receive reports of incidences of sexual violence meted out against women and girls as a weapon of war, most recently from South Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said the AUC chairperson.

“Today, I would like to reiterate the African Union’s zero tolerance of sexual and gender-based violence and exploitation. Sexual and gender-based violence has no place in our world: we must fight them relentlessly.

“As we commemorate Peace Day, the AU wishes to acknowledge efforts by Member States to minimise violence during elections,” she added.

“We continue to encourage political leaders and their supporters to use legal and peaceful means to address elections-related disputes. It is through these methods that we entrench and deepen our culture of democracy and peace on the continent.

“The AU Commission is also pleased with the establishment of the Mediation Support Unit, which will provide logistical and technical support in our mediation initiatives led by our Special Envoys.

“We will continue to enhance our initiatives in structural conflict prevention as well as increasing our post-conflict reconstruction and development programmes in countries such as South Sudan, Central African Republic and Somalia,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

The AU further commended the decision by Heads of State and Government to establish the Peace Fund, as well as to support 25 per cent of peace operation funding on the continent. This will provide predictable and sustainable funds to drive the goal of silencing the guns by 2020.

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

USA: Activists arrested at the pentagon

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An article from Pace e Bene

Twenty-one activists arrested at the pentagon demanding accountability for war crimes and an end to ongoing us wars:

WHO: On September 26, 2016, after years of unsuccessfully seeking meetings with elected and appointed government officials over the ongoing US wars, proxy wars and military occupations, armed drones, US war crimes, and the increasing Pentagon budget activists associated with the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR) went to the Pentagon today once again seeking a meeting with decision-makers in the Pentagon chain of command including Secretary Ashton Carter. They told Pentagon police they wouldn’t leave until they spoke to an official in a position of authority about war crimes committed by the US and that they were following their obligations under Nuremberg to draw attention to these crimes of US government elected and appointed officials. Although the activists were nonviolent the Pentagon police placed 21 activists under arrest and charged them with “Violation of a Lawful Order”.

Pentagon
(Click on image to enlarge)

WHAT: The presence of antiwar activists today at the Pentagon follows the International Day of Peace, the over 700 actions of nonviolence around the US and other countries organized by Campaign Nonviolence calling for an end to war, poverty, and for serious efforts to address the climate crisis and environmental degradation. In addition, many of the activists had attended the World Beyond War conference held in Washington, DC at American University over the weekend entitled “No War 2016: Real Security Without Terrorism”. The attempted meeting by activists was a continuation of the over 700 events organized by Campaign Nonviolence this month in addition to carrying the message of World Beyond War to the Department of Defense and Obama Administration. The activists tried to also deliver a petition signed by over 23000 people to President Obama, Secretary Carter, and German Chancellor Merkel calling for the closing of a drone relay station at US Air Force Base Ramstein in Germany which has been linked to the deaths of innocent civilians. Activists in Germany also attempted to deliver this petition to Merkel today. Australian activists acted in solidarity at the US military base in Pine Gap and another solidary action was held at West Point, NY by others concerned about the US drone program.

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Question for this article

What happened this year (2016) for the International Day of Peace?

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WHY: Rev. Janice Sevre-Duszynska one of those arrested explained why she was at the Pentagon seeking a meeting today “The measure of a healthy society is how we treat the marginalized. How we can care for them in a just and humane manner when 56% of the federal budget goes to the Pentagon for its 800+ military bases and the killing? That fills the pockets of the weapons manufacturers!” The World Beyond War conference and Campaign Nonviolence say there is a link between poverty, war, and the environmental threat to the planet. They say that there needs to be a new way of running our planet and resolving international conflict through nonviolence. “The reason why I took action today is because I am moved by conscience by the words of the late peace activist Daniel Berrigan who said “Because we want the peace with half a heart and half a life and will, the war, of course, continues, because the waging of war, by its nature, is total – but the waging of peace, by our own cowardice, is partial.” We all need to get out of our comfort zone and away from what is convenient for us when it comes to taking action. We cannot continue on the path of more war while so many social problems exist in society. War is a threat to Mother Earth and all humanity. The way of war is not sustainable” Kilbride said.

Those arrested include Janice Sevre-Duszynska, Richard Ochs, Malachy Kilbride of Maryland, Alice Sutter, Felton Davis, and Chat Gunter of New York, Don Cunning and Manijeh Saba of New Jersey, Brian Terrell of Iowa, Phil Runkel of Wisconsin, Joan Stallard, Art Laffin and Eve Tetaz of Washington, DC, JoAnne Lingle of Indiana, Howard Mettee of Ohio, Phoebe Sorgen of California, Henry Lowendorf and James Pandaru of Connecticut, Beth Adams and Paki Wieland of Massachusetts, Nancy Gowen of Virginia.

A November 3, 2016 court date has been scheduled in the US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia. The activists said they are looking forward to their day in court.

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Indonesian Vice President: NAM must be ready to meet 21th century challenges

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An article from Antara News

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla said member countries of the Non-Alligned Movement (NAM) must be able and ready to meet various challenges in the 21st century. “I need to affirm that there has been an urgent need for NAM to conduct internal reform. Reform is needed so that NAM could face the challenges in the 21st century,” he said according to a press statement from the foreign ministry received here on Sunday.

NAM
Click on photo to enlarge: (L-R, first row) President of El Salvador Salvador Sanchez Ceren, President of Ecuador Rafael Correa, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, the President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, President of Bolivia Evo Morales and the President of the Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea Kim Yong Nam during a photo call of leaders and delegates of the countries participating in the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Margarita, Venezuela, 17 September 2016. EPA/MIGUEL GUTIERREZ

He said the main challenges being faced by NAM at present is not a cold war but inequality and development gap between NAM member countries and internal conflict as well as conflict among NAM member countries.

To face the challenges the Indonesian vice president said NAM members need to reaffirm the principles and basic values of NAM. He also said NAM must pay attention to current realities.

“The principles and basic values of NAM are still very relevant and if they are implemented correctly they will make NAM successful in facing various challenges in the 21st century and its visions,” he said.

Kalla said in the future NAM must focus on its cooperation programs.

He said multi-lateral cooperation must remain NAMs focus and in view of that improvement of NAMs contribution in the UN especially in promoting settlement of conflicts peacefully must be increased.

In connection with that the vice president said Indonesia plans to bid for non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council for the period of 2019-2020.

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Secondly, he said, NAM must strengthen its global culture of peace especially through inter-civilization dialogs.

Thirdly, he said, NAM members must strengthen good governance and democracy that could help efforts to minimize terrorism, radicalism and extremism potential.

Fourthly, he said, NAM must increase development cooperation especially through South-South cooperation and he considered it very important to meet the 2030 development agenda.

Besides presenting cooperation that NAM must focus on, the Indonesian vice president said NAMs 120 member countries represent 60 percent of the UN members, and so have a big bargaining power.

“This should help NAM make a success in meeting its visions and contributing to international efforts to overcome global challengers,” he said.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla alos said NAM still had an obligation that it has to pay which is supporting Palestine to get its independence.

In connection with that he again called on NAM members to give full support to Palestinian independence including through Israel-Palestine peace process to materialize the two-state solution.

The 17th NAM summit from September 13-18 on the island of Margarita, Venezuela, carried a theme of “Peace, Sovereignty and Solidarity for Development.

A number of heads of state and governments of member countries attended the meeting.(*)

[Editor’s note: Heads of state included Salvador’s President Salvador Sanchez Ceren, Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Bolivia’s President Evo Morales, North Korea’s nominal head of state Kim Yong Nam, Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, and Cuba’s Raúl Castro, most of whom are in the accompanying photo. Most media coverage of this event was very negative, saying that it was a foreign policy disaster for Venezuela president Maduro, and this is one of the few very reports that gave some of the content of the discussions.]

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History Made: New England Ocean Treasures Protected!

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

A blog by Brad Sewell, Natural Resources Defense Council

President Obama made history today [September 15]. He established the nation’s first marine national monument in the waters of the continental United States: the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, located about 150 miles of the coast of Cape Cod. The monument will forever protect the rich diversity of marine wildlife that inhabits these undersea canyons and seamounts from harmful commercial activities, like mining, drilling, and fishing. It will build a reservoir of ecological resilience in the region, helping to protect and restore fish and other wildlife populations and to minimize the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification. 

NRDC
Map of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Credit: The Pew Charitable Trusts

What the President has done is epic. He has permanently protected a highly vulnerable ecosystem roughly the size of Connecticut, creating a “blue park” right off our most populous coastline. And he increased by twenty times the amount of ocean habitat in federal waters of the continental U.S. that has this sort of complete protection.

And what an ocean gem the canyons and seamounts are! As the science shows, America’s newest monument is exceptional for its diverse and abundant deep sea corals—73 different species in all, and for its marine mammals, like squid-eating sperm and beaked whales, as well as its seabirds and sea turtles. And, of course, fish also abound here, from bizarre deep sea species that you’ve never heard of to those kings of the food chain: sharks, tunas, and swordfish.

The monument encompasses three submarine canyons, Oceanographer, Gilbert, and Lydonia. They are exceptionally large and plunge deeper than the Grand Canyon. The canyons contain particularly abundant and diverse coral colonies and have a rich history of scientific exploration.

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Question for this article:

If we can connect up the planet through Internet, can’t we agree to preserve the planet?

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The four seamounts, Physalia, Bear, Retriever, and Mytilus, are the only ones in the U.S. Atlantic. They rise up through the water column and function like ocean oases in the deep sea. The monument covers nine different major, interconnected habitat types, from the continental shelf edge down to the abyssal plain. Because of this mosaic of habitats, and the complex geologic features and current patterns, the area is a biologic hotspot, providing food, shelter and nursery habitat for many species. This will benefit wildlife populations in the region as a whole, including commercially valuable fish and crustacean species. 

Short videos featuring the canyons and seamounts and their wildlife can be seen here and here.

If we are going to protect and restore our oceans, and rely on them as a source of food and enjoyment even as pressures and threats mount, the type of bold, trailblazing action that the President took today is exactly what we need. In particular, we need to build ecological resilience and protect genetic diversity to insulate marine populations against climate change and ocean acidification. With New England ocean waters already undergoing some of the greatest temperature increases on the planet, this action is none too soon. Last week, the nations and organizations at the IUCN World Conservation Congress urged world leaders to protect 30% of the planet’s oceans by 2030. The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is an excellent step in answering this call. 

So, Mr. President, thank you!  

And a huge thanks as well to Senator Blumenthal and the Connecticut Congressional delegation for being steadfast champions of the monument.

Finally, the designation would not have happened but for the outpouring of support from a broad and diverse coalition. Over the last year, 300,000 citizens have voiced support to the Administration. They have been joined by Mystic and New England Aquariums, along with a host of other aquarium and marine institutions, over 145 scientists, 100 New England businesses, dozens of state and federal elected officials, dozens of state and national religious groups, fishermen, marine mammal research groups and whale watch operators, dive groups, and conservation organizations. 

A day to celebrate indeed!

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article)

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