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.

Ex-Soviet Countries: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

A survey by CPNN

The following 71 events in 9 countries formerly part of the Soviet Union were listed in Google during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “Международный день мира” and “Міжнародний день миру”as well as “International day of peace”.


Participants of the action in Sverdlovsk launched balloons into the sky with white doves, on which were written the names of the deceased warriors of the Great Patriotic War.

We begin with articles from RUSSIA (in alphabetical order), followed by ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN, BELORUS, GEORGIA, KAZAKHSTAN , KYRGYZSTAN, MOLDOVA and UKRAINE.

BASHKORTOSTAN, RUSSIA: Students of our college, Baskirsky College, together with the Youth Public Chamber at the State Assembly-Kurultai of the Republic of Bashkortostan, laid wreaths to the monument of the grieving mother in Victory Park, paying tribute to all those who lost their lives in local wars. This event is designed to unite the youth of Bashkortostan in patriotism, respect for the fallen and for a peaceful sky over our head.

BIRYULYA, ALTAI REPUBLIC, RUSSIA: The action “We are for Peace!” Was prepared by the pupils of the pre-school groups of the school No. 933 on Thursday, September 20. In anticipation of this event, the children talked with the psychologist Svetlana Bolotskikh about peace, and then the older children created a bright “Bird of Peace” with the help of appliqué. “Peace time is a blessing that enables us to live steadily: to study, work, create families, raise children,” said Svetlana Bolotskikh. -Svetlana also noted that on the day of the holiday no one was indifferent: even the smallest pupils of the pre-school department all together made a large drawing of the Earth, and then they stamped it with their handprints.

BOLSHAYA BALASHIXA, MOSCOW OBLAST, RUSSIA: On the eve of the International Day of Peace the Library Center “Yuzhny” offered its readers poetic information, which included collections of poems about good and peace, about friendship and love for the Motherland. Adults and children took part in the poetic marathon and in the choice of the poems, most vividly defining the theme of peace and mutual understanding. Samuel Marshak’s poem, which urges children to play not in war, but in peace, gained the greatest number of votes. The information hour in the library was joined by 18 people.

BOLSHAYA EKATERINOVKA, AKARSKY REGION, RUSSIA: In Bolshaya Ekaterinovka schoolchildren released into the sky the doves of peace. A single class hour was devoted to the International Day of Peace in a rural school on September 21. Students and teachers of the MOU-SOSH village of Bolshaya Ekaterinovka joined the action “Dove of Peace”. At the beginning of the event, there was a single class hour in the 1-11 grades of the school, which was led by the eighth-grader Veronika FEDINA, sixth grader Darya KAZARYAN and sixth grader Victoria PISARENKO. They told about the purpose of this action, read poetry about peace and white doves – the symbol of peace. In memory of those who died during wars, candles were lit and a minute of silence was declared. The pupils of primary classes made drawings “We are for peace on the whole planet.” The action ended with the release into the sky of colorful balloons with paper doves attached.

BUGULMA, TATARSTAN, RUSSIA: The mobile cultural center of the Centralized District Club System of Bugulma held a thematic event “The World Begins from Childhood” for the first-graders of School No. 3. Employees of the cultural center told the children about memorable dates, the history of their origin and their significance. Girls and boys played games for the knowledge of kind words and countries of the world. They painted our planet to give their drawings to family and close people. And at the end of the event all participants received flyers in honor of the significant dates and wished each other a peaceful sky over their heads, joy and happiness.

CHELYBINSK RUSSIA: In our lyceum (Licium 102 Chelybinsk) , we celebrated the International Day of Peace for the second year . Today we talked and sang about peace ! Hand over hand , under the sounds of bells of peace, reminding us that we have not been touched by war … And at the end of the holiday lyceum students of 8-11 classes have built a simple , but important word “PEACE” . Lyceum 5-7 classes lined up in the form of the Russian flag. The director of the lyceum Marina Leonidovna Oksenchuk, the deputy director for the Verkhovna Rada Larisa Stepanovna Lebedeva, Alexander Valerievich Kurochkin and the hosts of the holiday launched the white doves into the peaceful sky .

HASAVYURTOVSKY DISTRICT, DAGESTAN, RUSSIA: The libraries and preschool institutions of the Hasavyurtovsky district celebrated the International Day of Peace. In the libraries of settlements the lessons of peace were held, within the framework of the “We are for Peace” regional action, where the library leaders told the readers about the Day of Peace. The children rang the little bell so that its ringing made everyone think about how fragile our world is, which means that it must be protected. Multicolored balloons were released into the sky. In the rural libraries of Hamavurt, Kandauraul, Pokrovskoye, Temiraul, Pyatiletka, Boragan-gechu, Botashurt, there have been organized talks on peace.

IVANOVO, RUSSIA: Using Skype the students and teachers sang songs with teachers and students from other countries.

KAZAN, TATARSTAN, RUSSIA: More than 2,000 students of the Kazan Federal University took part in a large-scale flash mob. In the sky were launched white doves – the symbols of peace, as well as white and blue balloons.  

KAZAN, TATARSTAN, RUSSIA: In the house of culture “Peace” will be a holiday in honor of the International Day of Peace – “Let’s live in peace!”. The day-to-day activities of the United Nations to maintain peace and tranquility, to comprehend the existing world problems – that’s what the organizers of the event want to draw to the attention of children and parents. For the youngest members of the Peace Club there will also be organized a program where the children will draw the emblem of the “dove of peace” and understand the meaning of peace for each person.

KAZAN, TATARSTAN, RUSSIA: September 21 in the Gorkinsko-Ometyevsk Forest there will be a large-scale concert for the Day of Peace and Harmony. The holiday will begin at 15:00, the concert program with creative numbers – at 18:00. The territory of the event is the main stage for the participation of creative teams and music groups, student pop stars and foreign collectives, as well as a venue for the conduct of actions and entertainment for the city’s residents. The program of the concert includes a lot of activities, master classes and interactive venues for guests:
• master class on acting from the founder of the school of acting “Broadway”;
• a master class on painting from the artist Catherine Manko;
• Lecture “Travel as transformation” from the traveler and writer Renata Smirnova;
• Transformation game “Women’s Alchemy” from the female coach Kadria Gafarova;
• a collection of puzzle size 3×2 m, etc.
During the whole event, the “Postcard to a friend” platform will function, which will allow participants to send a postcard to anywhere in the world. It is also planned to hold a “Ethnoobjective” photocross for photographers. The event will end with a massive launch of balloons into the sky under the motto “We are peace!” The organizers of the Concert are the Regional Public Organization “The Academy of Creative Youth of the Republic of Tatarstan” with the support of the Ministry of Youth Affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan.

KOSTROMA, RUSSIA: Kostroma schoolchildren also joined the social movement for the International Day of Peace. Teachers of Gymnasium No. 28 held an open lesson for children on October Square. Why is peace and harmony so important to all who live on Earth? The answer to this question was learned today by students of lower grades. They independently made paper doves and gave them to people passing by.

KAMENSK-URALSKY, RUSSIA: September 21 in the central square of Kamensk-Uralsky will be the All-Russian patriotic action “Dove of Peace” for the second time in the history of our city. The action is dedicated to the International Day of Peace. Its main goal is to honor the memory of the veterans who defeated fascism in the Second World War. Participants in the action – schoolchildren and students, will launch white doves and balloons into the sky, thereby expressing gratitude to the front-line soldiers and workers of the rear and pay tribute to their immortal feat in the name of peace on earth. .The organizers of the event – the Center for Youth Policy of Kamensk-Uralsky invite residents of the city to become active participants of this event.

KARGAPOLSKY DISTRICT, KURGAN OBLAST, RUSSIA: On September 21, the International Day of Peace was held in all educational institutions and institutions of culture and art in the Kargapolsky district, together with volunteer units, secondary professional education institutions under the motto “The right to peace: the seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. About 3000 children, teenagers, teachers and parents took part in the events. The children lit candles in memory of those who died defending the world, thinking about “What is Peace?”, “Why do we celebrate the Day of Peace?”. A minute of silence passed, at the end of which white doves, a symbol of peace, were released. More than 80 events were held: Peace Bell, We for Peace, Dove of Peace, We Are for Peace on the World, information watch cycles “Together for Peace: Respect, Security and Dignity for All”, ” Day of Peace “,” The world needs everyone “, drawings competitions on asphalt” Let there always be a sun “,” My happy planet “,” Peace to my house “, game programs” Journey on human rights “,” All right to know about the right ” “Children for Peace on Earth”, sports competitions.

KURGAN, RUSSIA: In “Secondary school №52”  students together with the volunteer detachment “Generation NEXT” (the head of the detachment – the teacher of history, social science Lusnikova Nelli Anatolievna) joined the Action “Dove of Peace.” Before the school, a flashmob “Peace Dove” was held in support of peace – a massive one-time launch of helium balloons with white paper doves attached along with Dunaevsky’s song “Fly, doves, fly.” On the same day, within the framework of the action, students of 9th grade of our school, participants of the volunteer squad “Generation NEXT” Egor I. and Maxim R. took part in the international video conference “Partnership of sister schools” in the framework of the international children’s and youth movement. Among the participants of the video conference were representatives of the Russian Embassies in Algeria, Azerbaijan, Serbia, the Lugansk People’s Republic, etc. The participants of the conference discussed issues of preservation and transfer of historical and cultural heritage, respect and development of friendly relations between peoples. 

KETOVO, KURGAN OBLAST,RUSSIA: On September 21, the International Day of Peace was held in the Ketovo Children and Youth Center. In the framework of patriotic education, the action “Dove of Peace” was held, conversations “What is Peace” were held, the students of the center made doves from paper, drew drawings on the theme “World Peace”, and the dance group “Mirage” organized a flash-mob.

MIASS, CHELYABINSK REGION, RUSSIA: Elementary school students cut out white paper doves as the symbol of Peace. Students in grades 1-3 decorated their classrooms with them, and the fourth graders also painted by themselves. Let the sky be peaceful forever, let there be no war ever!

MOLZHANINOVSKY, RUSSIA: In Molzhaninovsky, they will hold a thematic event “Peace in the World” timed to coincide with the International Day of Peace. As reported in the administration of the municipal district Molzhaninovsky, the holiday will be arranged on Saturday, September 22. The event will be held in the district administration located on the street 4th Novoselki, 2. The beginning at 11.30. Admission is free for all comers.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA: Near the walls of the Victory Museum on Poklonnaya Hill on September 21, 2018 as part of the “Dove of Peace” campaign there will be a flashmob dedicated to the international day of peace About 500 students from various schools in the capital will release balloons with attached paper doves to the sky. It is specified that for participants in the flashmob there will be adistribution of St. George ribbons, which you can take as a memory or tie to your dove. After the flashmob during the whole working day of the museum it will be possible to support the action by attaching a paper dove to the special construction “Dove of Peace” at the entrance to the building.

NEKRASOVKA, RUSSIA: Nekrasovka will celebrate the International Day of Peace with a concert, “The Stars Are Lighting At Us,” in the recreation center “Zarechie”. For the guests of our House of Culture the leading amateur art groups will perform, which after the summer break has already started creativity, – explained the art director of the institution Elena Andrukhan. The concert will begin at 18.00. The ticket price is 200 rubles.

NOVOKOSINO DISTRICT, MOSCOW, RUSSIA: Within the framework of the holiday, a thematic action “We are for Peace!” was organized at school № 2128 on September 21. According to the deputy director of the school Oksana Varchenko, the event has a strong message – to bring to people the danger and the ruinous nature of wars. Under the guidance of teachers there were organized class watches, promotions and exhibitions.

NOVOURALSK, RUSSIA: In our school, Novouralsk School No. 2, there was a single class hour “Spirituality Hour: Dove of Peace . ” Class leaders on a class watch spoke with children about the importance of preserving peace on planet Earth . Pupils of each class made doves and designed a large school panel “September 21 – International Day of Peace!”. On the same day, pupils of the 5th class held a rally and launched white balloons with paper doves and wishes of peace throughout the world. Help in organizing and holding the action “Dove of Peace” was provided by an individual businessman Nikolai Korchagin .

PETROZAVODSK, RUSSIA: In educational organizations, class hours will be held: “The world needs everyone”, “How to celebrate the Day of Peace in different countries”, “The history of the birth of the symbol” Dove of Peace “,” If you are kind … “, drawings and posters. Students of the school № 25 on the cinema club will remember about Samantha Smith, they will talk about the history of her life. And the smallest schoolchildren will make white cranes, the press service of the mayor’s office of the Karelian capital reports. On September 21 at 12:30 on the territory of the square near the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral an ecological action “For the sake of peace” will be held to plant trees with the participation of representatives of national public associations. In the ethnocultural center of the Karelian people, “The House of Men” on the street. Working, 9-a, will be a meeting of the Council of National Public Associations.

REVDA, SVERDLOVSK OBLAST, RUSSIA: On September 20 and 21, single hours of spirituality dedicated to the International Day of Peace were held at the IAOU Euroimgnasia. Lecture groups (junior and senior staff) of the Unarmy Detachment “Patriot” told the gymnasium students about the history of the holiday and about such a symbol of peace as the World Bell, cast from coins, which was gathered by children from 60 countries. We recalled the most famous symbol, the author of which was the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso – a white dove, holding an olive branch in his beak. The meaning of the word “tolerance” was discussed. At the end of the hour of spirituality, the lecturers gave the Euro-Ginamists paper white doves, so that, by writing the wishes of the world to the inhabitants of the planet Earth, they presented these little symbols to their relatives, relatives and passers-by on the streets of the city. Fifth-graders participated in the city action “Dove of Peace”, at which patriotic associations and volunteer detachments of educational organizations of the city, representatives of city veterans’ organizations gathered near the monument to Soldiers of the Internationalists. After the words of honorary guests of the event, the boys simultaneously released into the sky white balloons with white paper doves attached to them. White balloons carried away the names of deceased participants of the Great Patriotic War and the workers of the rear who devoted their lives to defending their native Motherland and establishing peace on the planet Earth.

ROSHAL, MOSCOW REGION, RUSSIA: On September 21, 2013, an event dedicated to the International Day of Peace was held in the KDOU “Kindergarten No. 1”. Today the students of the senior speech therapy group together with the Authorized Kupriyanova TV and the tutor Burukhina LB organized an integrated educational activity dedicated to this important day. We devoted the hour of the world to realize once again that the future lies in the hands of children, and from the very childhood we must learn to live together, understand each other and protect a fragile peace. The children painted the application of a dove (the symbol of peace) on the subject of the lesson.

SARATOV DISTRICT, RUSSIA On the International Day of Peace, the Saratov Historical and Patriotic Complex “Museum of Combat and Labor Glory” presented an exhibition of a painting by artist Alexei Krasnov – “Shaolin Square”. In the picture, the artist painted the square of the Shaolin monastery in anticipation of receiving guests. In 2018, Alexei Gennadievich Krasnov was on a creative expedition in China, where he made many paintings about life in the Shaolin Monastery. He became the first Russian artist invited by the rector of the monastery Shi Yong-xing to popularize the values ​​of the Shaolin monastery around the world in the language of painting.

SMOLENSK, RUSSIA: Photos of students at the MBOU School #33 releasing balloons of peace.

SIMFEROPOL, CRIMEA, RUSSIA: Within the framework of the celebration of the Day of Peace, a mini-exhibition of the puppets of the peoples of Russia in national traditional costumes made by the students of the Department of Decorative Arts, the Faculty of the History of Arts, the Crimean Tatar language and the literature of the Crimean Engineering and Pedagogical University is presented in the SB RK “Crimean Tatar Museum of Cultural and Historical Heritage”.

SATKINSKY, CHELYABINSK REGION, RUSSIA: The rehabilitation center of the Satkinsky Municipal District hosted events dedicated to the International Day of Peace. On September 22, the students of the center, under the guidance of teachers Tatyana Kuznetsova and Nadezhda Utenkova, visited the city square of Slava, the city of Bakal, where they remembered the heroic deeds of fellow countrymen and laid flowers to the obelisk to soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War. On September 23, the teacher-organizer Irina Varakina and tutor Tatyana Kuznetsova conducted an entertaining game program “I’m for peace in the whole world” for the inmates of the center , during which the guys fought with swords, participated in the quiz, guessed riddles, discussed the problems of our time – the most important of which is the fight against terrorism. A pupil of the center, Igor P., shared his impressions after the program : “I myself now tried to fight with swords, as Russian soldiers fought. Russian swords are a great weapon. But it is better to live in peace with everyone! ”

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2018) for the International Day of Peace?

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ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA: September 21, within the framework of the Second Eurasian Forum in the Peter and Paul Fortress, an action was held timed to the International Day of Peace. Representatives of St. Petersburg public organizations and guests of the Forum took part in the event. The participants of the action paid a minute of silence to the memory of victims of violence, wars and terrorism. Then, addressing the assembled women, the Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matvienko, made a speech. She noted that it is women leaders who are always at the forefront and are distinguished by a special strength of spirit, intellectual spiritual potential. They make a great contribution to the development of the person’s personality and the renewal of the world.A concert was held at the Cathedral Square, which clearly showed how people of different nationalities are getting along in Russia. Guests of the holiday could hear Udmurt songs, see traditional dances of Ossetians, Koryaks, Georgians and other peoples. The action ended with a symbolic action – the participants of the event released doves into the sky over Petersburg.

TAGANROG, ROSTOV OBLAST, RUSSIA: Young volunteers of our school (Tag 21) conducted “линейки” for students of the primary school. Traditionally, the celebration of this Day begins at the Peace Bell. The students of our school joined the World Action. Our bell is small, but its ringing will make everyone think: how fragile our world is, and therefore it must be protected! This is our voice of memory, peace and joy.

SVERDLOVSK REGION, RUSSIA: Residents of the Sverdlovsk region took part in the action “Dove of Peace” in the framework of the International Day of Peace. September 21, Participants of the action launched balloons into the sky with white doves, on which were written the names of the deceased warriors of the Great Patriotic War. The deputy director of the regional center of patriotic education, Galina Yakovleva, said that this event is aimed at expressing solidarity to all people and showing that we are for peace. In Yekaterinburg pupils of schools and students of universities and colleges joined the action.  Participating towns included Serov, Krasnouralsk, Kamensk-Uralsky, Revda and other cities and towns in the region, according to the “Official website of the government of the Sverdlovsk region” .

VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA: On September 21, the International Day of Peace, Volgograd residents will be able to help homeless people by giving unneeded clothing, in the framework of the third citywide action “Shade in the Window”. As the representatives of the charity organization Caritas-Volgograd said, they chose this name because the lampshade in the window for all of us is a symbol of a cozy family evening and a peaceful life. Volunteers plan to attract the attention of citizens to people who have no shelter.  Within the framework of the event, all comers will be able to show creative activity and  solidarity  with people left without a home: draw “their window” or make a selfie or photo in the window frame, and find a good neighbor-interlocutor. The action “Shade in the Window” will begin at 4 pm on the square in front of the entrance to the Catholic Church of St. Nicholas, which is located in the Central District of Volgograd.

VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA: MOU kindergarten No. 96 of Krasnooktyabrsky district of Volgograd is preparing to celebrate the International Day of Peace.  It is very useful and important to talk with children about the most important thing – about the world on the planet. Children will know where this holiday came from, get acquainted with its symbols. The future is in the hands of children. It is necessary to teach children to live together, understand each other and protect a fragile peace.

OLOKONOVKA, BELGOROD REGION, RUSSIA: at 7 Pionerskaya Street, Skype sessions were held with students and educators around the world with peace messages and discussion about what peace means for you personally. Other activities included singing a song about peace in Russian and in English, making origami doves as a symbol of peace, making a paper peace chain, Peace wordsearch and a Peace cycle race.

VORONEZH, RUSSIA: A single hour of spirituality “Dove of Peace”, timed to the International Day of Peace, was organized in the educational institutions of Voronezh.. Dozens of general education schools, kindergartens, as well as institutions of additional education joined the mass patriotic flash mob. In the kindergarten of General Education No. 157, the event was prepared in advance: the pupils themselves cut dove figurines out of paper, and at home together with their parents wrote the names of their grandmothers and grandfathers who participated and died in the Great Patriotic War, and also worked these years in the rear.

YAMAL-NENETS AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT, RUSSIA On the International Day of Peace the first-year students of the Kurgan State University and the staff of the representative office of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District will tell about the international ecological expedition to the island of Velkitsky. Also, the students will be presented with the international forum-festival of youth “We are for Peace in the World”, which is held annually in Bulgaria.

YEREVAN, ARMENIA: The International Day of Peace celebrations in school № 194 on September 21 included singing, dancing, and artwork for the students, followed by a presentation to teachers about peacemaking activities. We organized two competitions for students on the theme “I am drawing peace.” About 10 participants from ages 8 to 12 painted on paper, and about 150 participants from ages 6 to 12 drew with colored chalks on the pavement in front of the school.

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN: The International Museum of Peace marked the International Day of Peace in Baku, September 21. In connection with this, on the joint initiative of the Azerbaijan carpet museum and the Sabail district of YAP (The New Azerbaijan Party, Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyası) on September 14 in the conference hall of the museum a conference was held, the purpose of which was to educate the younger generation about the significance of the International Day of Peace, celebrated on September 21. The participants of the event got acquainted with the exhibition of children’s works on the theme “Peace – Peace!”, Organized by the Children’s Museum Department in the foyer of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. The children’s choir “Banovsha” named after Afsar Javanshirova of the Azerbaijan State Television and Radio made a concert at the event. The event ended in front of the Azerbaijani carpet museum, where children launched white pigeons and colorful balloons symbolizing the world.

BARANOVICHI DISTRICT, BELORUS:Today, the International Day of Peace, the action “Child of Peace” was held at the “Stolovichi Secondary School” of the Baranovichi District wirh he chairman of the regional organization of the Belarusian Peace Foundation.

BOBRUISK, BELORUS: A music and entertainment program “DETSKOKE” dedicated to the Day of Peace was held on September 22, 2018 for children of the State Institution “The Palace of Arts of Bobruisk”. Clowns had fun with the children at the disco, held dance contests, interesting and fascinating games, sports relay races, in which the children were pleased to participate.

BREST, BELORUS: This year, the traditional event in support of the International Day of Peace – “Day of Peace in Brest 2018” will take place with the organization and effective support of the Brest Regional Center for the Olympic Rowing Reserve. The participant needs to purchase a lamp in advance in order to float it on the “alley of peace”. The lighting time is at 20:00. Within the framework of the event, there will be a concert with participation of both young performers and already known in our city vocalists and dance groups, For the first time in the history of this event, an hour-long youth disco is planned to be run by our young radio host, performer Dmitry Nogovitsyn, starting at 20:15.

GANTSEVICHI, BELORUS: On this day, the workers of the cinema “Maladossi” held an action, where the children wrote wishes on paper doves. These birds, which are symbols of peace, were attached by schoolchildren to balloons and released into the sky.

GORODOK, VITEBSK, BELORUS:The School of Peace, the first in the Vitebsk region, opened today in Gorodok on the initiative of the regional branch of the Belarusian Peace Foundation, with the support of local authorities, and is located on the basis of secondary school №1. This initiative is implemented in the republic through the regional and regional branches of the Belarusian Peace Foundation. Schools of peace have already been set up in the Gomel region, in Minsk, and it would be wrong if it were not organized in the Vitebsk region, which suffered badly during the Great Patriotic War. Gradually, they will appear in other parts of the region. So, Miory, Glubokoe, Sharkovshina have already shown interest. The opening of the school took place in the framework of the international gathering of young envoys of the world, which was organized in Vitebsk for the first time and united the children of Gorodokhshchina, Shumilinshchina and the town of Dedenevo in the Moscow region. The site was the health camp “Orion” in the village of Kabishche. From September 20 to 22 schoolchildren from Belarus and Russia exchanged opinions and lived a rich social life. It is symbolic that the events took place on September 21 – the International Day of Peace.

VOLKOVYSK, GRODNO REGION, BELARUS: Of course, our gymnasium can not but take part in the actions that are taking place this day around the world. Our “Cranes of the World” are the traditional ones, which children make themselves and give out to passers-by near the shops, in order to remind people again that peace is important for children on the planet.

ABKHASIA, GEORGIA Organized by the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and suported by the Charity Humanitarian Center “Abkhazeti” the conference “The word existed first- Journalism of War and Peace” was held at Betsy’s Hotel. An exhibition of IDPs (internally displaced persons) from Abkhazia dedicated to the International Day of Peace were held at the Betsy’s Hotel, as well. At the end of the conference participants received the appeal of Abkhazian colleagues.

KAZAKHSTAN: The celebration of the International Day of Peace in the State Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Crimean Tatar Museum of Cultural and Historical Heritage” is held to draw visitors’ attention to the day-to-day activities of the UN to maintain peace and tranquility on our planet, to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace both within and between nations and peoples. At the stand for visitors will be posted information about this holiday, which is very important for people around the world. At the mini-exhibition puppets will be presented in national traditional costumes of some peoples of the world, reflecting their culture, traditions and history.

BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN: Writing from School-gymnasium No. 63, on September 21, in Bishkek, Victory Square hosted an event timed to the International Day of Peace. During the holiday, the action “Dove of Peace” was held, in which labor veterans, participants of armed conflicts, students and schoolchildren, including our students, took part. The participants stood with balloons, which, as planned, were launched into the sky. Of course, for some of us, peace is an everyday reality. Our streets are calm, our children go to school. Where the foundations of society are strong, the priceless gift of peace can not be particularly noticed by anyone.

TRANSNISTRIA, MOLDOVA: The first large-scale action to the Day of Peace in Transnistria was held by the youth organization Zvezda. The column passed from the boulevard. Yuri Gagarin to the square. A. Suvorov. On the occasion of the holiday, a drawing contest took place in the capital’s square. At the end of the action, dozens of white doves – a symbol of peace – were released into the sky.

ELIZAVETOVKA, UKRAINE: To draw the attention of the pupils of our school and their parents to the theme of peace on the whole Earth, volunteers from the organization “Memory” will introduce students to this date. Throughout the day at the school, students and parents will receive the emblems of white doves.

KAMENSKOYE, UKRAINE: Kamenskaya secondary school No. 31 is annually attached to the celebration of this holiday. On Friday, September 21, the leaders of the student’s self-government organized and held for the schoolchildren the “Song Opening Day of Peace” and a dance flash mob “Children of the World – for Peace!”.

KHARKIV, UKRAINE: The International Day of Peace was celebrated In the park Kvitki-Osnovyanenko.

KIEV, UKRAINE: On the morning of September 21, the action “Peace and Unity for Ukraine!” Was held on the square at the National Museum of History of Ukraine in World War II. One of the integral actions of the Day of Peace, beginning in 1986, is the symbolic Peace Procession initiated by Indian peacemaker Sri Chinmoy. The event was attended by more than 2,000 people who honored the memory of those who died in Afghanistan with the laying on of flowers.The procession column was opened by a brass band with a banner, followed by cadets, military and children’s dance groups in embroideries. Mass performance with dancing accompanied by live music became the main part of the program. The square itself was decorated with blue and yellow balloons and flags of Ukraine, and the final of the celebration was the launch of hundreds of balloons into the sky, as a symbol of faith in a peaceful future.

KIEV, UKRAINE: In Kiev, the International Day of Peace was celebrated. The organizers of the rally were warned that provocations were possible after yesterday’s heated clashes with the police under the walls of the Verkhovna Rada. Participants gathered at 10 o’clock in the morning at the monument to teachers and students of the Kiev Polytechnic Institute, who died during the Great Patriotic War. They included members of the public movement “The Power of Good” , the Kyiv City Organization of Veterans, the Anti-Fascist Forum, the Union of Ukrainian Officers and other public organizations. They unfurled a large poster with the inscription “Not good in strength, but in goodness of strength”, thus declaring the peaceful nature of the event and calling for non-violence and an end to the war. In the hands of the participants were white balls with the image of the dove of the world and red carnations. Opening the rally, the chairman of the Kiev city veteran organization Nikolay Martynov said: “Ukraine is tired of the war. We must grow bread, build factories and plants, raise children and grandchildren, and not send them to the slaughterhouse. We want to listen to melodic Ukrainian songs, and not to flinch from the rumble of shells and the whistle of bullets. Tamara Grabovaya , the chairman of the Kyiv city organization of the All-Ukrainian Union of Women Workers said “We, Ukrainian mothers, do not want our children to die. Let the war end!”

KURAKHIV, UKRAINE: September 22, when the whole world celebrates the International Day of Peace, the Kurakhiv city center of culture and leisure held a city action, a thematic program “I want to live without war!”. All educational and preschool institutions, creative collectives and simply residents of Kurakhovo took part in it.

MARAZLIEVSKOY, UKRAINE: Schoolchildren of the Marazlievskoy community took part in a flash mob “We are for peace” The pupils of the lower grades lined up in the shape of a heart in whose center was the Ukrainian flag. In addition, the school conducted an educational lesson on the topic “We want to live in peace” and the a clsss hour “Peace on Earth.”

ODESSA, UKRAINE On the Day of Peace on the Potemkin Stairs in Odessa, a bright flash mob was held with the participation of schoolchildren, cadets, members of the public and clergy. The organizers are the Odessa Regional Council of Peace. The event was timed to coincide with the 16th anniversary of the proclamation of the International Day of Peace. More than 500 flashmob participants marched from Dumskaya Square along Primorsky Boulevard to the monument to Duke de Richelieu. On the Potemkin Stairs, students, cadets, members of the public lined up, forming the word “Peace”, and performed the Prayer for Peace. A concert took place in the square, during which the artistic collectives of the city presented the dances of different nations of the world.

(Note: the following cities are claimed by the Ukraine, but have declared their independence as the Donetsk People’s Republic or the Lugansk People’s Republic.)

DONETSK, UKRAINE: The ethno-restaurant “Yo-Moe” invites all residents and guests of the city of Donetsk to celebrate the good and truly bright holiday of the “International Day of Peace” wth peace contests, “light” gifts and a mood of peace and good fun. September 21 starting at 18:00.
You are invited.

DONETSK, UKRAINE: Russian performers Alexander Buynov, Tatiana Lipnitskaya (Bianca), Olga Kormukhina and the band City 312 will perform in Donetsk on September 20 for the International Day of Peace . The concert will take place on the main square of the capital – Lenin Square.  The concert is organized with the assistance of the Russian Center.

KRAMATORSK, UKRAINE: September 21 in honor of the International Day of Peace at the central park  A. Pushkin, a mass flash mob was organized by students of Kramatorsk. The guys in white T-shirts with the logo of the 150th anniversary of Kramatorsk danced very brightly and vigorously, and in the end they congratulated the city on Happy Birthday! As it was, you can look in our small video, and if you want to see the flashmob live and completely, then you come to the central square of the city on September 22, at 17-00!

STANITSA-LUGANSK, UKRAINE: In Luganskaya Stanitsa, the International Day of Peace was celebrated. This was reported by the press service of the Lugansk Regional Military District. Talented artists and collectives of cities and districts of the region, international partners, people’s masters of Ukraine – Anzhelika Rudnitskaya, Olga Nesterenko, Maria Kononova, Nikita Gross and the group took part in the festive event “Peace and Unity Day” under the slogan “Stanitsa-Lugansk – Ukraine”. “GG Walk the City.”

In addition to the above events, One Day One Choir lists participating choirs for the International Day of Peace in :
Armenia (DILIJAN)
Russia (TYUMEN, VORONEZH, MOSCOW)

And the map of Montessori schools singing for peace on the International Day of Peace includes schools in:
Kazakhstan (ALMATY)
Russia (MOSCOW, YAROSLAVL, KOROLYOV in MOSCOW DISTRICT)
Ukraine (KHARKIV, KIEV)

Europe, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, South Asia,

Arab and Middle Eastern States: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

A survey by CPNN

The following 30 events in 15 Arab and Middle Eastern countries were listed in Google during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “International day of peace” “journee internationale de la paix” and اليوم الدولي للسلام. This also includes a few events listed on the websites of International Cities of Peace, the event map of the international day of peace, as well as partipants in One Day One Choir and Montessori schools singing for peace.


Photo from ceremony of the UN Fprce in Lebanon (FINUL).

Here are excerpts from the articles.

CAIRO, EGYPT: The 11th International Festival of Songs and Spiritual Music was held in Egypt on the occasion of the International Day of Peace. The festival is attended by teams from 16 Arab and foreign countries as well as the Egyptian and Syrian teams currently residing in Cairo. Participating countries include India, Greece, China, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan and Pakistan, while Congo will be the guest of honor. The shows will be held in archaeological and tourist sites such as the Dome of the Ghuri, Al Moez Street and the Religions Complex, as well as the Hanager Square in Opera, the Roxy Square and the Behar Pass in the city center. “Today we are opening the eleventh session of the Sama Festival for Chanting and Spiritual Music,” Egyptian Culture Minister Inas Abdel Dayem said at the opening ceremony on Saturday at the Beer Youssef Theater in Salahuddin Citadel. “We meet with the music and cultures of many countries in the world that are keen to participate in the festival Public”.

HELIOPOLIS, EGYPT: On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Heliopolis Public Library in Heliopolis is holding a Fine Art Exhibition under the title “International Day of Peace”, with the participation of artist Ahmed Pero and artist Christine Safwat at 12 noon on Saturday.

LUXOR, EGYPT: The “Peaceful Coexistence” initiative in the province of Luxor organized a celebration on the occasion of the International Day of Peace, yesterday evening. “The World Day of Peace provides all the peoples of the world with a common opportunity to organize events and carry out works that glorify the importance of peace and democracy in realistic and useful ways for this celebration of World Peace Day,” said Sameh Thabit, founder of the initiative. The celebration began with the organization of sports games for both boys and girls, urging them to cooperate, love and work together. Sameh stressed that the initiative is working to introduce the concept of sport and its relationship to development.

TEL AVIV-YAFO, ISRAEL: Peace day was celebrated with speakers from the different parts of Israel who daily fight for peace.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL: A short March, prayer for peace and ceremony was held in the Atsma’ut Garden.

NAQOURA, LEBANON: On the International Day of Peace, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held a ceremony at its headquarters in Naqoura and a photo exhibition in Beirut and a letter from the head of the mission that all sides cooperation is necessary to achieve peace and stability in sustainable South Lebanon . At a ceremony for the occasion, the President of the UNIFIL mission and its leader , General Major General Stefano del Cole , stressed that “efforts must be directed towards a cease – fire a lasting and sustainable peace.” He also affirmed UNIFIL’s strong commitment to helping the parties maintain a peaceful environment in southern Lebanon, stressing three key words: “Peace, Partnership and Understanding”.

BEYROUTH, LEBANON: The association “The Third Voice for Lebanon” (3V) organized at the Lycée Montaigne an exposition of Guernica, the masterpiece of Picasso. The exhibition opened last Friday on the occasion of the International Day of Peace (21 September). The event lasted from 21 to 23 September and was under the patronage of Ziad Chbib, Beirut’s mohafez, and was held on the first day in the presence of Mr. Chbib and Imane el-Assi, representing Fadi Yarak, Director General of the Ministry of Education, Jihad Feghali, President of 3V, as well as the vice-president of the association, Aimée Karam. “Our goal is to strengthen the building of peace in Lebanon through education in schools, the family and the social environment at the level of the individual and groups. This type of intervention in schools encourages personal development, the consolidation of values, information, skills and attitudes through the exercise of peace (…), which should mark what should be a true citizenship, “said Ms. Karam.

AL JANUB, LEBANON: On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, Al-Haj Bahaa Al-Hariri School has organized a series of activities entitled “The Right to Peace – 70 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. On the occasion, schoolchildren formed the word “peace” with their bodies surrounded by olive branches, emphasizing the right of peoples to live in peace. The activities were directed to the students of the kindergarten classes until the ninth grade under the supervision of teacher Ramia al-Sousi. The teachers from the school gave an explanation of this international day, which was dedicated by the General Assembly of the United Nations to promote the ideals of peace in and among nations and peoples. The activities also included songs inspired by the occasion, drawing and coloring the slogan of peace, as well as writing texts on the importance of renouncing violence and wars and bringing peace, freedom and democracy within society.

LIBYA: Libya’s Future Movement launched an international campaign for peace in Libya on Friday, the International Day of Peace. This is in cooperation with the Tunisian Project Movement and CEMAJUR International, at the headquarters of the Institute for Public Policy of the Tunis Project Movement in Tunis.

GAZA CITY, PALESTINE: Palestinian students of Fine Arts celebrated on October 13, the World Day of Peace, making murals in the city of Gaza.

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA: The Peace Action Society Organization PASOS held an event in Mogadishu for the International Day of Peace. It was attended by more than 160 people, among them peace activists and civil society groups, government representatives, international NGOs and youth organizations. The meeting discussed the security situation and how peace is needed, that everybody has the right to access to water and a better life.

NORTH DARFUR, SUDAN: The Deputy Governor of North Darfur, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Mohammad Barima, addressed the celebration organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information in the State in cooperation with the Joint African Union-United Nations Mission (UNAMID) on the occasion of the International Day of Peace. He affirmed the commitment of the state government to consolidate peace, security and stability in the province and preserve its gains, pointing out that the president’s decision to collect weapons. For his part, the Minister of Culture and Information in the state of Hada Barma Saleh said that his ministry will continue to support and support programs and projects that work to spread a culture of peace. The United Nations has traditionally celebrated the International Day of Peace in order to achieve the lofty human goals and objectives and to commemorate the United Nations Charter on Human Rights, said UN peacekeeping chief Luke Olama. He stressed that human rights in Darfur have improved significantly, prompting the United Nations to take its decision to withdraw UNAMID from the state and final and towards the programs of development and reconstruction.

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2018) for the International Day of Peace?

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ALEPPO, SYRIA: On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, the International Youth Chamber organized in cooperation with the Syrian Secretariat for Development, the event in Aleppo entitled “The Cloe Sager Olive”, which included a volunteer youth march from the Holy Land Monastery to the Garden of the pine and planting it with 400 olive trees and naming them with a number of expatriates. “On the occasion of the International Day of Peace and the recovery and reconstruction of Aleppo, this event came to spread a message of peace to the expatriate outside Syria,” said Rami Kamal, president of the International Youth Chamber. The event was attended by 60 associations and grassroots organizations, about 1,000 young men and women from the International Youth Chamber, the Syrian Secretariat for Development, local associations and organizations, chambers of tourism, industry and trade, and the church scout teams in Aleppo.

HOMS, SYRIA: The International Chamber of Youth in Homs held this evening the event of “Kloe Sager Olive … for Syria Peace” on the occasion of the International Day of Peace, which included the planting of more than sixty different olive and citrus trees in the garden opposite the Islamic neighborhood in Al-Wa’r neighborhood. Dr. Alaa Birekdar, President of the Chamber said in a statement to SANA correspondent that the activities of the day are held in cooperation with the city council of Homs and the Islamic community in order to convey a message to the whole world that Syria is a country of good and peace and that with our cooperation we can change and rebuild.

SAHNAYA, SYRIA: The “Bidaya” Center for Development Activities in Sahnaya established “Our Heritage Our Identity” initiative on the occasion of World Peace Day, under the slogan “We must each plant a grain in the land of peace.” The initiative presented various paintings, reflecting the different cultures and environments that live in Syria, such as the Shami and Halabiya environments, Zafat and Zogarid from Suwayda, in addition to Deir al-Zour and Homs. The Syrian coast also has a share, along with Arab cultures living in Syria such as Palestine and Iraq. “It is one of the commandments of Christ to love each other, and love is only in peace,” said the priest of St. Elias’s Church of St. Elias.

QAMISHLI, SYRIA: Several civil society organizations in Qamishli, in the northern countryside of Al-Hasakah, organized a festival on the occasion of the International Day of Peace, aimed at promoting coexistence among the components of the region. The Rosanna correspondent in al-Qamishli Hassan Hussein said that the festival, entitled “We Love Mahamshili” was organized by Doz with the participation of many civil society organizations last Friday, September 21, World Day of World Peace. “This initiative started in 2017 and this year we have been working in the form of teams and each group has a particular theme, water security and sport against extremism, art and culture,” said festival coordinator Hanaa Ahmed. She added that “the goal of the festival peaceful coexistence among the components of the region and peace in Qamishli city of love and peace.” Participating in the festival were the Char Development Organization, the SMART Center for Psychological Support, the Arab National Authority, the Human Rights Organization, the Common Ground and the Union of Kurdish Writers. The city of Qamishli, where Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians and Syrians live, is in a state of tension between the army of the Syrian regime and the forces of “self-management” Kurdish, with sporadic clashes between the parties from time to time.

SYRIA: On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, Damascus and several Syrian cities witnessed a 12-hour marathon, in which about 15,000 people from different age groups took part. The marathon began at 8 am in Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Lattakia, Tartous and Sweida, where the participants ran simultaneously for a distance of 3 kilometers, before a number of them went to participate in another evening marathon in Damascus, concluded by a ceremony held by the Umayyad Square in the Syrian capital [with CNN video of event].

TUNIS, TUNISIA: The International Day of Peace was celebrated at the Faculty of Juridical, Political and Social Sciences on September 21. The meeting was addressed by the head of the faculty, Mme. Neila Chaabane, the representative of the Club of International Humanitarian Rights, Mme. Takwa Tayari, and the representative of the UN Information Center, Mr Jihed Gannem. A film was shown in memory of Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: The “Sawab” Center launched a new campaign on its social networking platform yesterday by marking #AfterTerrorism in Arabic, English and French on the “Sawab” platforms in Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube in conjunction with the activities of the International Day of Peace. The new campaign will shed light on the stories of victims and survivors of extreme violent terrorist attacks around the world, such as those in France, Burma, Norway and elsewhere, said the center, the joint US-US Digital Initiative platform to combat violent extremist ideologies across the Internet and promote positive alternatives. In celebration of the International Day of Peace, the Center will also include the voice of strong figures such as: Pakistan’s Malala Yusufi, South African President Nelson Mandela, and the late Pope John Paul II who survived violent extremism and later became symbols, supporters and heroes of the industry. Hope, and spreading the message of forgiveness, love and tolerance, and peace, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

ADEN, YEMEN: On 25 September 2018, the Commission for Development and Rights in Aden organized a celebration on the occasion of World Day of Peace in partnership with the Development Symbols Foundation for the Deaf and the Yemeni Organization for Permanent Peace. The celebration included a number of events and events with the participation of 25 media and media and 30 deaf children. The committee provided psychosocial support to Deaf children and launched a friendly space for them at the Symbols Foundation for the Deaf and worked as a special workshop and drawing them towards peace. To get them out of the cycle of violence they are living. Fayrouz Wahban presented a briefing to the participating media about psychological support and its importance to societies that have experienced wars and violence. The media coordinator also called on all media and media outlets to shoulder their responsibilities to protect the social fabric that has been torn apart by wars and violence in society. The aim of this event is to spread a culture of social peace and to encourage people and society to preserve it and guide them towards peace, development and construction rather than demolition.

In addition to the above events, One Day One Choir lists participating choirs for the International Day of Peace in :
Egypt (ALEXANDRIA, CAIRO)
Ethiopia (ADDIS ABABA)
Israel (TEL-AVIV)
Jordan (AMMAN)
Lebanon (BEIRUT)
Morocco (CASABLANCA)
Tunisia (TUNIS)

And the map of Montessori schools singing for peace on the International Day of Peace includes schools in:
Bahrain (MUHARRAQ)O
Morocco (CASABLANCA)

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Mideast

Latin Ameria and the Caribbean: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

A survey by CPNN

The following 95 events in 24 Latin American countries include those listed in Google during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “International day of peace”, “Dia Internacional da Paz” and “Día Internacional de la Paz” The events also includes some listed on the event map for the International Day of Peace and on the facebook pages for the global feast and the International Cities of Peace as well as partiipants in One Day One Choir and Montessori schools singing for peace.



In Feira de Santana, Brazil the event featured white balloons
and many people dressed in white.

Here are excerpts from the articles.

SAN CAYETANO, ARGENTINA: For the International Day of Peace “Culture goes to the square” was developed in Plaza América, with the participation of the workshops of the Directorate of Education and Culture. In the space of the painting workshop they were able to make a production using the silk-screen technique; in loom they contributed to make the longest flag of the district; the Papelnonos built paper bulbs and cranes that were hung in one of the diagonals of the plaza, as well as they interpreted the Anthem of the Peace; whereas Danzas Latinas, Old Active and Fun, and Coro made everyone sing and dance. The Laboratory of theater, tango and folklore showed how much they learn in classes; while the rock and guitar workshops presented their newly formed bands. Everything was recorded through the Photography workshop.

SAN JAVIER, ARGENTINA: In San Javier, schools 853 and 1121 carried out activities for the International Day of Peace. In the case of the public elementary school N ° 853 Fray Ermete Costanzi, there was a peace march from the educational institution to the municipal campsite. “We want to instill this value with the children, we have worked during the week in the classrooms on the subject of peace,” said the deputy director of the morning, Claudia Blanc. San José School 1121, carried out various activities related to peace, first in the classrooms and then held a celebration at the Palo de la Paz, located in San Martín Square and then went to the municipal campsite, to develop recreational activities.

SALTA, ARGENTINA: The celebration in the Paseo de la Democracia of the Plaza de la Legislatura included the raising of the flag, “bandera de la paz,” an artistic show, a peace walk and a photographic exposition.

SAN SALVADOR DE JUJUY, ARGENTINA: The municipality of the capital, through the Secretariat of Human Development, organized the ceremony in Plaza Belgrano, an opportunity to strengthen the ideals of peace and to release the anthem of a Jujuy author. The Secretary of Human Development, José Luis Sánchez, praised the importance of the ideals of peace of all the nations and peoples of the world, Other participants included the Secretary of Indigenous Peoples, Natalia Sarapura; Rebeca Chambi, Director of Cultural Rights; councilors Patricia Moya, María Galán, Estela Flores and Marcelo García; Ambassadors of Peace and neighbors.

CORRIENTES, ARGENTINA: On Friday, September 21, the Ministry of Education of Corrientes, on behalf of Lic. Mirta Clarisa Godoy Director of Intercultural Bilingual Education participated in the commemorative act for the “International Day of Peace” in the Plazoleta located at intersection of streets May 25 and Costanera Av. of our city. The event was led by the Mayor of the city, Dr. Eduardo Tassano, who spoke to those present highlighting the importance of living in a society that uses peace as a basis for coexistence, inaugurating a peace pole “May peace prevail over the land” written in different languages ​​representative of our diverse culture.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Organized by the Secretariat for Equal Opportunities and Treatment of the UPCN (Unión del Personal Civil de la Nación), the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, was held in the gardens of the Ministry of Economy. From 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the gardens were decorated with hundreds of origami cranes made by children in schools, elderly people in different centers and interested people who came to the offices of the Secretariat to learn the technique and make the cranes which are symbols of peace made by the Japanese paper folding technique.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: A Global Feast for Peace was held this year in Buenos Aires.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA: UNESCO Aruba partners up with JCI Yala for a 3k fun walk to celebrate World Peace Day.

TUBARÃO, BRAZIL:Representatives of 12 School participated in the 9th Meeting with Catholic Professionals of Education, on September 29, morning, at St. Joseph’s College in Tubarão. Archbishop João Francisco, in his message to the educators, stressed that peace is ” woven day after day with patience and mercy and demands a look from the heart”. Counselor, Psychologist and Educator Joyce Lima Floriano, with competence, addressed the theme: “The culture of peace in the world of the School “. 

PIRATININGA, NITERÓI, BRAZIL:The social action “Walk of Peace”, in celebration of the International Day of Peace, was held yesterday afternoon, at the Colégio de Aplicação Dom Hélder Câmara, in Piratininga, Niterói. The students gathered in the Plaza do Rotatória do Cafubá, and sang the song “La paz” by Gilberto Gil, leaving the people who watched with excitement. “This walk is very important, because the world today is really very violent, with shots to all sides and the walk is to make everyone aware that peace can reign at any moment,” said Ricardo Caliço, 5th year.

JÚLIO DE CASTILHOS, RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BRAZIL: With the purpose of disseminating a culture of non-violence in schools and society through work carried out in schools and outside of it, EMEI Dona Doralice promotes a walk next Wednesday (19), at 14:00, which happens on the street Cel. Luiz Azevedo in the neighborhood Centro Baixo in front of the school is located in Júlio de Castilhos, within the “Peace Project is People Who Do”. The direction, CPM and students of the school, invite state schools and entities such as Santo Antonio Beneficent Association and community members to participate in the ‘Walk for Peace’ where everyone can wear white clothes.

PIRENOPOLIS, BRAZIL: You are invited to the event “I am peace” on the International Day of Peace, September 21, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 1 p.m. Dance, Music, Poetry, Performance and Walk for Peace on Rua Matutina, Centro – Pirenopolis. Prem Rawat Foundation’s Education for Peace videos every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on Matutina Street, No. 8 with Sandra Cristina and Luis Gustavo Armond Free entrance

ARAPIRACE, BRAZIL: Students from Lindalva Elementary School Eulália de Farias marched on the streets of the Bom Sucesso neighborhood on Friday (21), International Day of Peace, to ask for “enough” in the violence and to shout for justice. During the week several activities with this same theme were carried out inside the school, including with the presence of the parents, as poster contest and parodies.

CAMPINAS, BRAZIL: This Friday, September 21, starting at 4:00 p.m., in Praça da Bandeira in Campina Grande, the United Religions Initiative – Uri Borborema Cooperation Circle, will celebrate the International Day of Peace, with the presence of several leaders and representatives of religious institutions and groups in the city, with messages and prayers for world peace. The event will feature musical performances MaracaGrande and Viviane Stayner, distribution of about 200 mini-ykebanas and 200 kitcharis – vegan snacks, and will still be made a ThetaHealing healing wheel for unconditional love giving.

CHAPECÓ, BRAZIL: The Chapecó / SC Choral Association marked the International Day of Peace at the Regional Police Station of the Civil Police and the Chapecó District Forum, with brief concerets in order to carry the message that marks the date. The end of this day is for the person to do something for peace. Among other ideas, you can put a white flag in your house, forgive a friend, make a donation, join the world events, share the official page of this day or Imagine John Lennon’s music on social networks or sign petitions that circulate through the internet for peace.

CHAPECÓ, BRAZIL: Some activities were made by the Institution Chapecó Criança to celebrate the Peace Day which is celebrated on 21 September. The activities are focused on the Project called “Hands given for Peace.” After this action the children went to the field to fly white kites made by the the institution’s teachers. The kites represent the symbol of the culture of peace, so that good winds bring actions of good to the whole world. And to finish the children received three seeds of sunflower, symbolizing seeds of love, to cultivate actions of: Embrace, Solidarity, Kindness, Expressing Love.

FRANCISCO BELTRÃO, BRAZIL:Today, September 21, International Peace Day, students and staff gathered in the courtyard for a moment of reflection. Using ribbons, the colors of the continents were represented and a cry for Peace in the world was raised.

CURITIBA, BRAZIL: The International Day of Peace, celebrated this Friday (21), will gather more than 400 people on a walk in Curitiba. Promoted by the Secretariat of Sport, Leisure and Youth, the Walk of Peace will begin at 10 am in Barigui Park.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL: Unipaz São Paulo (International Peace University), School of Transformative Education, designed for the next week a special program called “Dialogues for a Culture of Peace”, in celebration of the International Day of Peace, September 21, in order to reflect about the importance of the theme in everyday life. The special program begins at 6:00 pm on Monday, September 17, with the free practice of Meditation entitled Connection to World Peace. On May 18, at 7:30 p.m., Unipaz Vice President Nelma da Silva Sá, Unipaz Facilitator Andrea Duque and guests will hold a live on Culture of Peace entitled “Living in Peace is Possible?”. The event will be broadcast live on the Unipaz Facebook page .

SAO PAULO: To celebrate the International Day of Peace, representatives of different religions – Catholicism, Spiritism, Buddhism, Umbanda, Protestantism, Hinduism, Candomblé, Islam – participate in the interreligious act Unity for Peace on Friday, (21) at the São Paulo Commercial Association (ACSP) headquarters, in the center of the city of São Paulo. At the event, 30 young people appointed by the ACSP districts, present in all regions of the city, will receive the Peace Mark Trophy, which is a replica of the landmark Peace Monument, a monument created by the special adviser to the ACSP presidency, Gaetano Brancati Luigi. “Young people are our future. We need to encourage them to pursue the culture of peace and love, because only then do we feel the true flavor of life.”

FEIRA DE SANTANA, BRAZIL:  In Feira de Santana, the International Day of Peace was celebrated in the Marcus Morais Space. An action of the Fair Campaign calls for Peace, the act brought together the community, municipal and state schools, as well as authorities and civil society entities. The municipal secretary of violence prevention, Pablo Roberto, explained that the campaign has a vast program and all actions are based on the discussion about the need for a culture of peace in the city. The event featured white balloons and many people dressed in white.

SANTA MARTA, BRAZIL This year’s International Peace Day event in the community is bringing the discussion of how important peace in the favelas is. The president of the NGO Atitude Social, Pierre Avila, told the Voice of Communities: “I expect more love, less arms, to end discrimination and prejudice. We are all children of the same Creator.” The resident and artist Juanita Costa, will exhibit her works of art. Although she currently lives in Los Angeles, she always visits Brazil to develop artistic activities with the children of the NGO. In addition to Juanita’s presence, the event will feature a music school and an integrated arts workshop.

ITAJAÍ, BRAZIL: On Friday (21), when the International Day of Peace is celebrated, the students of the Basic School Professor Judith Duarte de Oliveira will perform an action from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Hercílio Luz street, opposite to the Historical Museum. They participate in the Project “Sowers of Peace: United to Make a Difference”, which is developed in the school. One of the programmed activities is the Pinwheels for Peace project. Will they be planted? weather vane in various regions of the city, with messages on peace, anti-bullying, non-violence, among others. “They will be placed in the municipal gardens as a public statement of the search for a Culture of Peace ?, explains Professor Patrícia Regina, adding that the wind will spread thoughts and feelings about peace for the whole country and the world.

 VITÓRIA, BRAZIL: Students at the Centro Educacional Leonardo da Vinci produced a mural for respect for differences among peoples, through generosity and a careful look at the other. Each group worked with a continent, painting butterflies with the colors of the flags of each country, but these butterflies are not restricted to their borders, joining on the same planet, showing that although we have different colors and flags, we are similar and have a same heart.

SOUSA PARAIBO, BRAZIL Ação Colegio e Curso held a “Peace Walk” around the school. The children also presented texts and related poems. In the words of the 5th year B student, Anthonia Maria “peace means love, harmony, knowing how to listen to others, to be calm and patient.”

CRICIÚMA, SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL:A big collective hug was held on the afternoon of last Friday (September 9) in Criciúma to celebrate the International Day of Peace. The action was part of the III Meeting of the Hands-for-Peace Project promoted by the CPMA of the Criciúma region in partnership with the State Government, the State Department of Justice and Citizenship, the Santa Public Prosecutor’s Office Catarina and the Judiciary of Santa Catarina. The project seeks to promote reflection on the construction of a less violent society based on initiatives that promote a culture of peace. In the opportunity also was inaugurated a billboard in the side street to the Forum, highlighting the campaign with the message “For the victims of all forms of violence, our fight for peace”. The event was attended by CPMA partner institutions such as the City Hall of Criciúma, 9th Battalion of the Military Police, Civil Police, 28th GAC, Red Cross, Fire Department, General Institute of Skills, Civil Defense, neighborhood associations, churches and schools in the region, among others.

MANDAQUI, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL For the International Day of Peace at Cermac College the students of Fundamental II , made a mural together, in the art classes, idealizing what they understand as peace. Already high school , took advantage of text production classes to write their perceptions in the form of a poem.  Meanwhile, Elementary I students treated the topic on the “good morning” and “good afternoon”. At Cermac Junior , the children set up a beautiful mural with the theme “What is peace for you”. The students of Infantil I and II knew the legend of Tsuru and made their own, embellishing the whole unit with the origami. The juniors made drawings on the story of Todd Parr, “The Book of Peace.”

ITAJAÍ, BRAZIL: An event in celebration of the International day of Peace, included artistic presentations on the theme, recitation of poetry, distribution of white balloons, face painting, tree seedlings distribution and 1500 Pinwheels with messages of peace in the gardens of our city. There was also distribution of the “Peace Sowers Newsletter”. With a monthly circulation of 3000 thousand copies with 12 pages, and also in the digital format, the “Peace Sowers Newsletter ” addresses several topics in the sections on Quality of Life, Health, Family Space, Ecology, Sustainability, Interviews with Inspiring People, Traveling in History with Peacemakers, UN News, and a wide range of knowledge and information to add to these, and that contribute to the individual and collective good, benefiting as many people as possible and promoting the Culture of Peace. The event was in front of the Historical Museum of Itajaí, in the center of the city.

TIBÚ, COLOMBIA: The celebration of the International Day of Peace took place on Saturday, September 29 at the school in the village of Caño Indio with a Eucharist, bazaar, sale of meals, lightning football championship, presentation of musical groups and cultural activities.

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA: Bogotá celebrates the International Day of Peace with symbolic exhibitions, talks with the public, concerts, gastronomic events and fairs with products produced by victims of the armed conflict. One of the most outstanding exhibitions will be at the Center for Memory, Peace and Reconciliation where the monolith that serves as a welcome to the Center is clothed since yesterday afternoon by 1,200 meters of fabrics with stories of peace , reconciliation and memory. These have been woven by victims of the armed conflict and citizen organizations. Virgelina Chará, representative of the Union of Costurers, coordinator of the Asomujer Foundation and in charge of the construction of the loom, explained that “Covering the monolith of the Memory Center is a way of claiming rights. Today we are talking about peace, but what we are doing is for it to be spoken from another language: from the embroidered memory, written, cooked, sung and traditional medicine “.

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2018) for the International Day of Peace?

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SANTA MARTA, MAGDALENA, COLOMBIA: “Act for Peace !: Peacemakers – Words + Actions” is an event in the framework of the Celebration of the International Day of Peace, where the community of Magdalena University is invited to be agents of change of our territory.

LA PAZ, CESAR, COLOMBIA: In the framework of the International Day of Peace the United Nations Organization , with the support of the Government of Cesar, planned for today a gastronomic day called “Master Chef Por La Paz”, inspired by the famous reality Master Chef. During the activity to be developed today in the Territorial Space of Training and Reincorporation of the ex-combatants, it is expected to have the presence of recognized figures of folklore and national entertainment such as the Mono Zabaleta, Omar Murillo and his wife Koral Costa, as well as the cooks of important restaurants and hotels in Valledupar. Competing teams are made up of ex-guerrillas , the community, the public force and the institutions, according to the Peace Adviser of the Department of Cesar, Jesualdo Hernández Mieles.

DABEIBA, ANTIOQUIA, COLOMBIA: Some 150 ex-combatants of the FARC guerrillas commemorated yesterday in the municipality of Dabeiba (Antioquia) the International Day of Peace with the purpose of “living without hatred” and continuing to build the “roads of peace”. In the Llano Grande farmhouse, where there is a Territorial Training and Reintegration Space (ETCR), ex-guerrillas, Public Force and civil society participated in an event led by the UN that reaffirmed the commitment to work on reconciliation. “This is a historic moment, some 15 years ago it was impossible to think of such a moment, and today we all come together for peace,” said Isaias Trujillo, who served 47 years in the Farc. The singing of the children of the school Laura Montoya, who interpreted the song Paz, Paz, Paz of the singer-songwriter Juanes, painted of optimism and hope an activity that also included the presentation of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Medellín and that was the stage of the presentation of the Alliance of Foundations for Reconciliation. This initiative developed by 10 business and social foundations seeks to strengthen specific programs in the area, to work on reconciliation with training and the planting of gardens, among other actions. During the celebration, in addition to recognizing that the implementation process “requires time and patience -according to Trujillo- to reach a successful conclusion”, the advances made in the reintegration were highlighted. For the mayor in charge of Dabeiba, Lina Valle, in that territory they not only talk about peace, but “we are building and living”.

BOSA, COLOMBIA: The celebration of the International Day of Peace takes place September 21 and 9:00 in the Plaza Fundacional.

MEDELLIN, ANTIOQUIA, COLOMBIA: Organized by the Fundación El Sol, the International Day of Peace was celebrated with different rhythms and dances in the Parque de las luces.

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA: To commemorate the International Day of Peace, a group of foundations allied with the Municipality of San José and the Ministry of Justice organized a walk starting at 8 in the morning from the Parque de las Garantías Sociales  to the Plazoleta de la Soledad. The organizers urged those who participate in the activity to wear white garments, as a symbol of peace.

CIEGO DE AVILA, CUBA: A meeting was attended by social communicators from various sectors of the territory of Avilanian and representatives of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples who repudiated the military bases of the United States. “To contribute to generating a broad international movement that makes peace and the survival of humanity its central objective, constitutes a moral imperative and a political commitment of Cuban communicators that we will not give up in any circumstance,” said Sierralta González, President of the Cuban Association of Social Communicators.

HAVANA, CUBA: The second international seminar on realities and challenges of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace took place September 19-21 at the “Raúl Roa García” Higher Institute of International Relations. Sponsors included the World Peace Council and the Cuban Movement for Peace and the Sovereignty of the Peoples, with co-sponsorship of the Higher Institute of International Relations and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. Panels were on the following themes: – Current U.S. Policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean: Consequences for Peace – Social Inequalities, Gender and Ethnic Minority Issues: Challenges for Peace – The Environment, Natural Resources and Challenges for Peace – Imperialist Information and Communications Technologies and their Provocations to Peace – Importance of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: The Ministry of the Interior and Police (MIP), through the Vice Ministry of Social Management and Citizen Education, encouraged the participation of 75 young people in the seminar “Construyo Paz RD”, on the occasion of the celebration of the International Day de la Paz, on September 21. The presence of this group of young people, belonging to the sectors involved in the Vivir Tranquilo program, was supported by the Minister of the Interior and Police, José Ramón Fadul, and was organized by the “Cultura de Paz Network of the Dominican Republic”, a space that integrates different public, business and civil society organizations with the purpose of sowing in the youth knowledge and values ​​that impel them to develop a culture of peace. This seminar was born as an initiative coordinated by the Center for the Study, Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts (CEPREC), with the objective of empowering youth leaders who can promote in their sectors the construction of peace, through respect for Human Rights, tolerance and good behavior, for the prevention of violence and conflicts, and in that way guarantee an atmosphere of peace and security in communities throughout the country.

ITCHIMBIA, QUITO, ECUADOR: We are here in Itchimbia Park this Saturday September 22 to cultivate a family and collective space and commemorate the International Day of Peace that is celebrated on the 21st. We decree to the world and to us same that we are here for Peace. That in Ecuador, Latin America and the whole world, we are many and more and more people that actively take steps with confidence and say, We want Peace! in the present and for the future. For our life and the next generations. For our relationships, our Mother Earth and our hearts.

GUAYAS, ECUADOR: With an open house to inform citizens of the benefits of the Justice of the Peace, the Provincial Directorate of the Council of the Judiciary of Guayas celebrated the International Day of Peace as “a call to hope that one day of peace may lead to another. The president, Gabriel Manzur, said that since 2014, the Judiciary has participated in the community designation of 13 Judges and Peace Judges in 16 parishes, promoting in this way justice services to citizens living in rural areas of the country. Víctor Carranza, Justice of the Peace of the Cone parish in San Jacinto de Yaguachi, indicated that significant progress has been made in his community in the interests of better coexistence among the neighbors, because the conflicts have been overcome through dialogue. There have been seven educational centers of the Fe y Alegría network in the province of Guayas, which have participated in the “Seedlings of Coexistence” program, with workshops held both for students and parents, in which the problems were analyzed of their community and alternative solutions with practical tools so that dialogue becomes the fundamental mechanism to resolve conflicts.

GUANAJUATO, MÉXICO: International Day of Peace Celebration with Workshops and Music for Children in collaboration with 58 International Children´s Festival from Sibenik Croatia, World Art Games Organization, Art México, Art Spirit Community and Museo de Arte e Historia de Guanajuato.

IRAPUATO, MEXICO: Peace groups from Jalisco, Chihuahua and Michoacán, as well as different clubs and civic associations such as the Union of Clubs and Associations of Irapuato (UCADI), the Lions Club and the Board of Kings Cavalcade joined in a walk for peace. They held cardboard signs and blankets with various messages of peace such as; “High crime, more attention to the disabled … enough deaths” and “we are tired of so much corruption” was how the peace walk began, leaving the park Irekua .The walk traversed Guerrero Avenue and more people joined the contingent as it progressed its way bound for the Plazuela Miguel Hidalgo.

NAVOJOA, SONORA, MEXICO: All students at the primary and secondary levels were invited to submit posters for the International Day of Peace. Activities on that day included a march of students wearing white clothing from the Plaza 5 de Mayo to Plaza Santa Fé Springs, where the Museo Regional del Mayo is located . Organizers included the Municipal Government through the Directorate of Education and Culture , in coordination with Amigo de los Museos , Cultural Association, Nabojowa Mission Intercultural Civil Association and Yolem Tekia Cultural Center.

METEPEC, MEXICO: The International Day of Peace was celebrated by the Ignacio Zaragoza” primary school for the benefit of 567 students, the José Palacios Rojas High School and the Bertha del Avellano de Cárdenas Children’s Garden.

NUEVO LEÓN, MEXICO: The State Government will hold on Sunday, September 30, the Walk for Peace and Nonviolence to celebrate the International Day of Peace. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness among the population of returning to values ​​and regenerating the social fabric, said Ervey Cuéllar Adame, Undersecretary of Prevention and Citizen Participation. The Walk starts at 9:00 from the Alameda and goes to the Government Palace. Participants are asked to wear white clothing, symbolizing peace. In the end, through songs and dances, gang members will send messages of peace and nonviolence.

MONTERREY, MEXICO: On the occasion of the International Day of Peace (September 21) and the International Celebration of Nonviolence (October 2), the Undersecretary of Prevention and Citizen Participation ,Ervey Cuellar, called for a walk wih the objective of promoting peace and aborting the violence. He affirmed that the event will be carried out to exhort the population to recover the values ​​of dialogue, tolerance, respect and healthy family coexistence. “We want to strengthen the social fabric, to collaborate in all this problem that we are living and to promote peace and tranquility,” said Cuellar. 

ZACATECAS STATE, MEXICO: The International Day of Peace was celebrated with the ringing of bells in all the Catholic churches of El Mineral. The churches that joined the celebration when the bells rang for three minutes were Our Lady of Purification, Saint Anne, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saint Joseph Worker, Our Lady of Refuge, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Saint John and Divine Providence. In addition to Fresnillo, other communities also participated, including Plateros -with its seven churches located in ranches and within the community-, Ábrego, Colonia Mariana, Rancho Grande, San José Station, San José de Lourdes, La Salada, Vallecitos Plan, El Aterradero, La Enchanted and Trujillo. The priest Jesus Arteaga, known as Father Chuzo, reported that the churches of the Cañitas de Felipe Pescador municipality also participated. Meanwhile the audiovisual media of El Mineral transmitted the Hymn to Joy , as part of the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, under the slogan the Right to Peace.

SALTILLO, COAHUILA, MEXICO: In coordination with the group of children Commissars and Environmental Inspectors, of the Pueblo Insurgentes Community Center, the DIF (Sistema Nacional para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia) commemorated the International Day of Peace on Friday, September 21, with the presentation of the work “La Ruta del Escarabajo” (The Route of the Beetle) by Mayte Olvera, with the support of the Municipal Institute of Culture. At the event, the participants expressed the desire and importance of living in a peaceful society, where equality and justice are available to all girls and boys. The activities culminated on Friday afternoon with the Hymn to Joy, which generated an emotional and fraternal atmosphere that all families enjoyed.

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO: Every year on the Sunday closest to September 21 in the Chapultepec walkway of Guadalajara, the organizations that make up the C-Paz collective exhibit some of the activities they carry out in favor of building Peace. On this occasion the organizations participating in this event were: Meditapalpa, Gises, Oblate Educational Center, Creapaz, Spokespeople for Peace, Amnesty International, Schools of Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Conscience and Action Mexico, FM4, Community Grows, Voices ITESO, CISV Mexico, DHAVYNA, Four Winds, etc. The activities of these organizations range from peace education for girls and boys to discussion forums for adults and from art for peace to the creation of micro-enterprises for young people and for women heads of family.

MANAGUA, NICARAGUA: Boys and girls want Peace, the members of the Rubén Darío Student Choir of the II district of Managua, sang in an angelic voice during the celebration of the International Day of Peace, at the San Sebastián Public School. “Peace, represents the love and tolerance that we must have to live in a better world, ” said Ángel Gabriel Ruíz , sixth grade student.

LIMA PERU:The Friends of the UN Club of La Libertad celebrated the International Day of Peace 2018 “The Right to Peace and the 70tth anniverary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” EI No. 80076 “Millennial Chan Chan” held learning sessions in each of the grades, called “La Paz Nace del Corazón”, and the pupils then expressed themselves by forming a great heart of children who yearn for peace and the love of all.

MAYAGÜEZ, PUERTO RICO: In honor of the International Day of Peace PeaceCast.tv will broadcast PeaceCast Global, with videos that promote peace. This year, for the first time, it will be broadcast simultaneously in English and Spanish. The Spanish version will be launched from the Mayagüez University Campus of the University of Puerto Rico. “For us at the College of Mayagüez, it is a great privilege to be part of this historic event that aims to raise the figure of peace as a center for our daily life. We are convinced that education is an integral part of the knowledge, in full, of the benefits, both of peace at the individual and social level and of the people. That is why we are honored to collaborate with this emblematic transmission that will be seen around the world, “said the interim President of the UPRM, Wilma L. Santiago Gabrielini.

LAS MERCEDES, VENEZUELA: Saturday, September 22nd, the Venezuelan American Center of Zulia (Cevaz) will hold a concert in commemoration of the International Day of Peace at the headquarters of this institute in Las Mercedes with the presentations of the Extra Various musical groups, Bento and Mr. President . This will be an event dedicated to fostering the ideals of fraternity, tolerance and understanding in all nations and peoples. In this context, music will serve as a perfect link to move closer and cross borders.

ALTAMIRA, CARACAS: On the occasion of the celebration of the International Day of Peace , this Sunday in Pdvsa La Estancia , in Altamira, Caracas, a concert was held for Human Rights and Peace in Singing and Poetry with the poetic group Una Sola Brasa and the group Piakoa. The ombudsman Alfredo Ruiz Angulo, pointed out that together with PDVSA La Estancia, the Ombudsman’s Office celebrates this day with the builders of peace. Ruiz added that participants included representatives of various communities in Caracas, such as the foundation of the deaf, representatives of peasants, women, fighters and fighters for peace, among others.

CARACAS, VENEZUELA Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro highlighted the fact that the people of Venezuela are overcoming their difficulties peacefully in connection with the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, established by the UN since 1981. Through his account on the social network Twitter, the head of state ratified the path of peace as a way to achieve emancipation. ‘The heroic people of Venezuela have managed to overcome their difficulties peacefully. On this International Day, we confirm that it is the only way to achieve true freedom. With Peace everything is possible, “the president wrote.

In addition to the above events, One Day One Choir lists participating choirs for the International Day of Peace in :
Argentina (BUENOS AIRES, MONTESANO, MAR DEL PLATA, PILAR )
Bahamas
Brazil (SAO PAULO, BELO HORIZONTE)
Chile (SANTIAGO)
Costa Rica (CIUDAD QUESADA, NOSARA)
Cuba (HAVANA)
Ecuador (QUITO)
Grand Cayman (SEVEN MILE BEACH)
Mexico (VERACRUZ, MEXICO CITY, SAN LUIS POTOSI)
Nicaragua (MANAGUA)
Panama (PANAMA CITY)

And the map of Montessori schools singing for peace on the International Day of Peace includes schools in:
Argentina (BUENOS AIRES*)
Aruba (NOOR)
Brazil (FLORIANOPOLIS, SÃO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, SAO PAULO*, RIO DE JANEIRO, IPIAU BAHIA, BELEM)
British Virgin Islands (TORTOLA)
Chile (VINA DEL MAR QUNTA)
Colombia (QUINDIO)
Costa Rica (NOSARA*, SAN JOSE)
Dominican Republic (CABARETE)
El Salvador (SAN SALVADOR)
Grenada
Mexico (MORELES, CUAUTITLAN IZCALLI, SAN LUIS POTOSI*, MEXICO CITY*, MONTERREY
Panama (PANAMA CITY*)
Peru (CUZCO, LIMA)
Puerto Rico (MANATI)
Trinidad and Tobago (MARAVAL)
US Virgin Islands (ST THOMAS)

* these may be duplications

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Africa: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

A survey by CPNN

The following 72 events in 26 African countries include those listed in Google during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “International day of peace” and “Journée internationale de la paix.” The events also includes some listed on the event map for the International Day of Peace and on the facebook pages for the global feast and the International Cities of Peace as well as partiipants in One Day One Choir and Montessori schools singing for peace. See the page of events in the Arab States for those in North Africa.

Release of doves at the end of the International Day of Peace at the Françoise Dolto school in Saint Pierre, Reunion.

Here are excerpts from the articles.

NATITINGOU, BENIN: The Peace and Education Association (APE-Benin) celebrated this Saturday, in the presence of the mayor of Natitingou Antoine N’da, the 2018 edition of the International Day of peace, under the theme “The right to peace: 70 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. Referring to the UN resolution, the president of the Peace and Education Association (APE-Benin) Rachidi Adam reminded the audience composed mainly of young, that the culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, behaviors and lifestyles that reject violence and prevent conflict by attacking their roots through dialogue and negotiation between individuals, groups and states.

BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI: CIAD Burundi, a non-governmental organization includes as one of its objectives to establish a Culture of Peace in Burundi through the establishment of spaces for dialogue, exchange and reflection on mechanisms for consolidating peace and social cohesion. On Friday, September 21, 2018 at noon, a tent will be erected in Bujumbura to collect your signatures in the Guestbook of Peace in Burundi.

NGAOUNDÉRÉ, CAMEROON: Placed this year under the theme “the right to peace”, the international day of peace edition 2018 gave the opportunity to the men of God to raise prayers for peace in Cameroon. The related events organized in Ngaoundéré by the Association of Women and Girls of Adamaoua (AFFADA) was chaired by the governor of the region. Representatives of the political parties, the MRC, the UNDP and the CPDM also gave voice to a peaceful Cameroon before, during and after the presidential elections of 07 October. The governor said he was touched by the theme of this celebration and the timing of the 2018 edition, because it reminds the leaders of political parties in the presidential race in the region to be moderate in their speeches in order to avoid hate messages. The release of the doves, synonymous with peace, put an end to the celebration.

DOUALA, CAMEROON; A peace song recorded by four of Cameroon’s top artists entitled Stand For Peace was released on this day. Cameroon as well as other countries in Africa are experiencing serious political crises and through this song, the artists preach a message of peace.

BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: The Minister of Labor, Employment, Vocational Training and Social Protection, Jean-Christophe Nguinza, chaired, Friday, September 21, 2018 in Bangui, the festivities marking the International Day of Peace, coupled with the ceremony of the inauguration of the building of the Kokoro Secondary Council, a work of the school-building of the youth of the basic communities 3rd and 6th arrondissements as well as Bimbo.

KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DR CONGO): On the sidelines of the celebration of the International Day of Peace, a Capacity Building Workshop for Peace Journalists and Human Rights Actors was organized in collaboration with Monusco, the National Press Union in Congo (Unpc) and the Bureau of Agencies. United Nations systems on human rights. The Coordinator of the Association of Congolese Journalists for Peace (Ajcp), Ms. Christiane Ekambo KiengiMrs said that the peace reporter is a preventive journalist compared to the journalist of conflict or war. Unpc President Kasonga Tshilunde announced training workshops for journalists on the eve of the elections.

GOMA, NORTH KIVU, DR CONGO: The women of North Kivu met in Goma this Friday, September 21, 2018 as part of the commemoration of the International Day of Peace For more than five hours, these women shared their experiences and discussed around the theme chosen at the global level “The right to peace, 70 years after the declaration of human rights” and unanimously expressed the wish to see the North Kivu province recover peace. They also blasted the fact that their province has become the stronghold of massive displacement of the population fleeing clashes between the Congolese army and the armed groups in different corners of the province.

GOMA, NORTH KIVU, DR CONGO:
On the International Day of Peace, activists of the citizens’ movements organized a march to demand peace and the holding of credible elections in the country. The march of the citizen movements, including the Struggle for Change (LUCHA), started from the President Entrance to the provincial governorate, to the Himbi museum where they read their memorandum before being dispersed by the police. “We want free, credible and fair elections. We are asking the governor to bring us peace because he is the representative of Kinshasa power here. We also demand that voting machines be pruned from the electoral process. The next elections must lead us to peace and not to war. And to get there, we have to go in a scheme that suits all stakeholders, “said one of the protesters.

NYANGEZI, DR CONGO: On this international day for peace, Congolese Females Action for Promoting Rights and Development (COFAPRI) organized activities for the city of peace in Nyangezi, DRC. Women, men and children joined discussions on ways they can move toward peace in their homes and in their communities. They also prayed and asked everyone reading this message to pray just for five seconds for our country the DR Congo to have peace one day. They also send lots of blessings to anyone involved in peace activities no matter who they are, where they are and in whatever way they are doing so. God bless all the Cities of Peace all over the world.

LUBUMBASHI, DR CONGO:: John Mukhuta and the Lubumbashi City of Peace group in Katanga held an excellent Peace Day event. John has worked tirelessly over the last decade to take care of orphans, promote women’s rights, and bring his community to a new level of safety and health. This event highlights the group’s year-long effort, as sanctioned by local government and dignitaries, as well as the local U.N. peacekeeping force.

MAMBASA, DR CONGO: On the occasion of the World Day of Peace we will organize on Sunday, September 23, a concert for peace in Mambasa the 160th international city of peace,

LIBREVILLE, GABON: The Executive Bureau of the Panafrican Women’s Network for the Culture of Peace celebrated Friday in Libreville, the International Day of Peace. “Our peace project is about making every woman, of goodwill, living in this country, a development partner who lives and lives in a specific province and that it helps to make attractive,” said the president of the Network, Victory Lasseni Duboze. Also in the context of election news, “The political game allows the confrontation of ideas but no fighting that leads to divisions and rejection by each other,” she pleaded.

LIBREVILLE, GABON: On the occasion of the International Day of Peace,the United Nations System organized, from 21 to 22 September, a series of activities aimed at nurturing young people on the notion of peace. The stadium of the national gendarmerie of the Gros-Bouquet camp, in the 1st district of Libreville, served as a framework for the events in which children in difficulty (from several reception centers), associations of women and young people … have communicated with other young people around the theme of this 10th edition namely “le droit.” The different agencies took the opportunity to showcase and explain to the public what they are doing to contribute to a world without violence.

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2018) for the International Day of Peace?

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SANKORE, BRONG AHAFO REGION, GHANA:: Peace march includedmembers of a Peace Committee, students, market women, business owners and other concerned individuals and groups to demand for their right to peace which they have not enjoyed for almost decade due to incessant violent political rivalry between members of the two major Ghanaian political parties in their community. The programme was climaxed with a symposium to be attended by the Interior Minister, Members of Parliament, Security agencies, UNDP Country Office rep, traditional and political party leaders and others.

MATHARE, NAIROBI, KENYA: The event for the International Day of Peace included classroom activities,group discussions and sports.

MONROVIA, LIBERIA During the celebration of the International Day of Peace, we paraded from the Sports Commission to the Monrovia City Hall, Monrovia, Liberia.  We also had an indoor program at the end of the parade. 
My message to everyone is to love peace, speak peace, live peace, do peace, sustain and maintain peace and dream peace always.

NEW MATADI FANTI, LIBERIA Peace Talk brought together Youths and community stakeholders to discuss the importance of maintaining peace. This event will be held in New Matadi Fanti town community in Sinkor.

ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR: The FIMPA, an association that works for the protection of the consumer, organized an exchange-sharing session around democracy, perceived as the main instrument of peace. For this association, the day today also part in celebrating the 70 th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). For them, talking about peace and democracy in an electoral context is relevant, because it calls for a peaceful electoral process.

LILONGWE, MALAWI Malawi joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Peace in Lilongwe on 20th September 2018 under the theme Right to Peace. In partnership with the Malawi Government, Chancellor College, and other stakeholders, the United Nations converged high-level and community women in politics, business, faith, public service, uniform, academia and law to discuss their contributions to peace in their communities.

BAMAKO, MALI: On 21 September, the African Youth Network for Populations and Development, AfriYAN Mali, in collaboration with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) revived the International Day of Peace through a three-day workshop aimed at strengthening the capacities of young people and women on issues of peace. AFriYAN, the African Youth Network for Peoples and Development was created in December 2005 in Lusaka. This network aims to promote and increase youth participation in Africa’s development by strengthening their leadership and advocacy capacity. It is present in all African states.

TIMBUKTU AND GOUZOUREY, MALI: As part of the International Day of Peace 2018, MINUSMA organized several activities in different regions of Mali to celebrate this day together.   MINUSMA is the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Mission for Stabilization in Mali. In Timbuktu, they organized a conference-debate on the theme ” Right to Peace  ” and a friendly football match. In Bouzourey, the meeting involved the Mayor of the commune, traditional leaders, local authorities and young people of the locality. The day ended with a football match between two villages in Gouzourey commune: the Bagoundje team and the Wabaria team.

SEGOU, MALI: Celebrating also the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, during this International Day of Peace several activities were organized including a conference debate, a caravan and an evening for peace. These festivities were organized by the Federation of UNESCO Clubs. The program was broadcast in Ségou by Studio Tamani.

ILORIN, NIGERIA: In Ilorin, Nigeria: City of Peace, Dr. Adimula Ruth Abiola presented the Global Peace Index at her University.

LAGOS, NIGERIA: Video of celebration of the Global Feast in Lagos

IBADAN, NIGERIAThe 2018 International Peace Day was celebrated by many activities which include Church Service, Jummat Prayer, Peace Walk, Award to Peace Makers in the Society and the Peace day Celebration.

IBADAN AND KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA: Global feasts were held in these two cities as well as others in Nigeria.

SAINT-PIERRE, REUNION: The program of the International Day of Peace in Saint-Pierre included a peace march with the College of the Bamboo Line, an intervention of the National Police at the Jean-Paul Sartre school for a moment of awareness about harassment and dangerous games, the planting of an olive tree at the Françoise Dolto kindergarten as well as a release of doves, a musical show with René-Paul and Paël Gigan, the distribution of an artificial white flower to the children and a exhibit about peace performed with Firmin Sinama Pongolle.

KIGALI, RWANDA Never Again Rwanda in partnership with the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission and other peace actors marked the International Day of Peace at the Parliamentary building in Rwanda. The national local theme for this year is “Critical thinking for peace”, which stems from the need to strengthen capacities of youth and citizens to gain understanding in reflective thinking and creativity in addressing peace challenges in their communities. The event attracted participants from youth, governmental officials and CSOs representatives.

DODOMA REGION, TANZANIA: The commemoration of the International Day Of Peace and the 70 years of Universal Declaration Of the Human Rights took place in the Dodoma region of Tanzania.

HARARE, ZIMBABWE: The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum), which has worked with many victims of organised violence and torture since 1998, led the peace day commemorations in Harare under the theme, “The Right to Peace: Building a just, inclusive and accountable Zimbabwe.” This year’s commemorations are organised in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Theatre in the Park, Renewal Fellowship and Youth Empowerment for Transformation Trust (YETT). The commemorations reflect the diverse groups that are all key for building sustainable peace. Bringing together young leaders, civil society and church leaders, the commemorations give Zimbabwe an opportunity to explore inclusive strategies for building a just, inclusive and accountable Zimbabwe. Part of the attractions will also feature a theatre production on Heal the Wounds by Rooftop Promotions.

In addition to the above events, One Day One Choir lists participating choirs for the International Day of Peace in :
Angola (LUSAKA)
Burundi
Cameroon (YAOUNDE)
Democratic Republic of Congo (KINSHASA and other cities)
Ghana (ACCRA)
Kenya (NAIROBI, MOMBASA)
Liberia (MONROVIA)
Malawi
Namibia
Nigeria
Senegal (DAKAR)
Sierra Leone (CONAKRY)
South Africa (CAPETOWN, JOHANNESBURG, SWAZILAN, ZULULAND. EAST LONDON)
Tanzania (DAR ES SALAAM)
Uganda (KAMPALA)
Zambia (LUSAKA),
Zimbabwe (HARARE)

And the map of Montessori schools singing for peace on the International Day of Peace includes schools in:

Botswana (TLOKWENG)
Ghana (ACCRA)
Kenya (NAIROBI)
Namibia (3 schools)
Seychelles (Bel Air Victoria)
South Africa (DURBAN, CAPETOWN, PORT ELIZABETH, OUDTSHOORN, MQANDULI, MPUMALANGA, HARBEESPOORT,, JOHANNESBURG, PRETORIA, ROODEPOORT)
Zimbabwe (MATABELELAND)

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UN Secretary-General’s remarks at Peace Bell Ceremony on the International Day of Peace

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An article from the United Nations News Service

It is for me an enormous pleasure to be with all of you during this International Day for Peace.

We are here because we are determined and we do not give up.

We see conflicts multiplying everywhere in the world. We see links between conflicts and terrorism. We see insecurity prevailing. We see people suffering. But we don’t give up.


Secretary-General António Guterres rings the Peace Bell at the annual ceremony held at UN Headquarters in observance of the International Day of Peace. UN Photo/Mark Garten

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2018) for the International Day of Peace?

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We know that when we appeal for combatants to have a pause to respect this day, we know that many will not respect it. But we don’t give up.

When we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we know that human rights are violated in so many parts of the world, we even know that the human rights agenda is losing ground. But we don’t give up because respect for human rights and human dignity is a basic condition for peace.

It is true that extreme poverty is being reduced but we see inequality growing. But again we don’t give up because we believe inequality is one of the most important factors of instability and conflict. So we will pursue our Agenda, the 2030 Agenda, The Sustainable Development Goals, our struggle for a fair globalization because there is no development without peace but there is also no peace without development.

We will not give up. Peace is the unifying concept that brings us together at the United Nations.

Peace is at risk. Peace is violated in so many places. But we will not give up.

Thank you for your determination and thank you for your strong commitment for our common cause.

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Federico Mayor: The Culture of Peace: a credible pathway to sustaining peace

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Speech by Federico Mayor at UN High Level Forum on the Culture of Peace

After the impressive Plenary Segment of this morning and afternoon; after the rich debate of this excellent Panel, I consider that to put into practice the culture of peace and non-violence, we must


Photo of Federico Mayor speaking at Forum by Bircan Unver, GMCOP

1.- have particularly in mind:

– the Programme of Action of the Resolution of the GA of 13 September 1999.

– the GA Resolution of 16 December, 2016 – Follow-up.

– the GA Resolution of 11 December, 2017 – Follow-up, as well, both of them agreed by very important number of countries. And very populated ones, as China, India, …

2.- The General Assembly has highlighted in these Resolutions, as well as in the UN High Level Forums since 2012, the necessity –more important now than ever because of the potentially irreversible processes, socially and environmentally – of the effective implementation of the culture of peace. Tomorrow can be late.

3.- Many thanks, dear Ambassador Chowdhury, for your tirelessly efforts in favour of a culture of peace and non-violence. It is completely inacceptable that every day thousands of human beings die of hunger and extreme poverty, while more than 4 billion dollars are invested in armament and military expenditures.

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Question(s) related to this article:

What is the United Nations doing for a culture of peace?

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4.- I must emphasize the relevance of the culture of peace right now, when we see again supremacism, fanaticism, racism… being widespread without an immediate reaction. Have we forgotten what happened because of the exclusion and discrimination of nazism, fascism and Japanese imperial policies, leading to the II World War?

5.- A new concept of security must be adopted, in the context of an efficient reinforcement of the crucial role of the UN System, with the complete elimination of the oligarchic and plutocratic groups (G7, G8, G20), main responsibles of the present lack of multilateral democratic governance in the world.

6.- In the new era, it is urgent the transition from a culture of domination, violence and war to a culture of encounter, dialogue, conciliation, alliance and peace. From force to word, from “para bellum” in the well known dictum “Si vis pacem, para bellum” to “para verbum”, starting with ourselves, with our every day behaviour.

7.- We had today here the leading example of Rigoberta Menchú, Nobel Peace Prize 1992. She knows well the immense and in depth terrible impact of violence and she has given us with her life the best reference of the new ways to overcome hate and aggression… and to share and live together, all different but all united. Her speech this morning has been extremely lucid and courageous. Every dawn we must take it into account.

8.- We have today here as well the Rector of UPEACE, Prof. Francisco Rojas. I wish to thank him for all he is doing to mobilize the academic and scientific communities in favour of a culture of peace. The Earth Charter is one of the main pillars of action of UPEACE.

Dear President, ladies and gentlemen: the first phrase of the UN Charter –“We, the peoples”- was premature in 1945. The human beings were being born, living and dying in some square kilometres. And they were silent, obedient and fearful. But now, “the peoples” know what happens around the world, can express themselves freely and, above all, they are men and women. Now they become world citizens and must be mobilized for the urgent transition from force to word. Now, for the first time in history “the peoples” can take in their hands the reins of the humanity common destiny, and ensure sustainable peace worldwide.

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Synopsis of the UN High Level Forum on the Culture of Peace

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Statement at the closing of UN High Level Forum on the Culture of Peace on behalf of the President of the UN General Assembly

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the President of the General Assembly, His Excellency, Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, I want to thank you for participating in this High-Level Forum.

Our discussions today were very rich. They brought many aspects and issues to the table. And, I will not be able to summarise them in a few minutes.

Instead, I will focus on three areas – which I think came to the fore.


Photo from the Culture of Peace Initiative

I. Sustaining Peace

First, we talked about the state our world is in, when it comes to peace.

And a lot of it was far from positive. Many of you pointed to the changing nature of conflicts. From more interstate violence…… to the proliferation of non-state and terrorist actors.

Others talked about the devastating effects of conflicts in their own countries.

So, we heard about a lot of pain and suffering. But we also listened to many messages of hope. In particular, on the topic of Sustaining Peace.

It was clear that there is wide support for this new approach. And we heard that it can be a credible pathway to a culture of peace.

For example, in Liberia. The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country has now closed its doors. And Liberians have turned peace from an objective into a tangible part of daily life.

Also, Colombia was flagged as another example. This country was home to armed conflict for over five decades. But, now, a culture of peace is growing stronger every day.

These achievements were made possible through hard work and sustained investment

– by national actors, regional partners and the international community.
Our discussion showed that the potential of Sustaining Peace is huge. We are already harnessing some of it. But a lot remains untapped.

Many of you argued that certain tools should be used more by the United Nations

– from good offices and mediation support ……to longer-term peacebuilding partnerships. And you pointed to gaps at the regional and national levels.
So, we still have work to do.

II. Coherence Across Pillars

Secondly, I think we acknowledged something important today. Which is: if we want to achieve a culture of peace, we need to look beyond, just, peace.

Many of you stressed the vital role played by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Ms. Rigoberta Menchu told us that inequalities and exclusion can destroy the conditions needed for a culture of peace to thrive. And we heard about how poverty eradication, and inclusive growth, can increase the chances of peace taking hold.

Today’s Forum also placed major emphasis on education. I want to repeat a line from the Constitution of UNESCO, which was quoted today: “Wars begin in the minds of men”.

Of course, wars begin in the minds of both men and women. So, the sooner we can promote peace, in the minds of both men and women, the better. And that means starting from the first days of a child’s education.

Climate change also featured in our Forum. Some of you raised the warning flags. And you told us that the effects of climate change can spark or worsen conflict.

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Question(s) related to this article:

What is the United Nations doing for a culture of peace?

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We also talked about finance. We heard that too much money is flowing towards securitisation and armaments. But not enough is being used to stop conflict at its roots – and invest in drivers of peace. Other delegations argued that illicit financial flows pose a threat to peace and security. And we heard resounding calls for more predictable financing for Sustaining Peace.

Human rights form another issue which came up, again and again, today. We heard speakers and delegates from all over the world call for a human-rights-based approach to both peace and development.

Almost every delegation flagged gender equality as a priority. A culture of peace cannot exist without it. That was clear, before this Forum. But our discussions today have reaffirmed it. Some women are actors of conflict. And many, many others are agents of peace. But all must lead, participate and be counted.

Moreover, an emphasis was placed on young people. Some of you stressed that the vast majority of young people are passionate about peace. So, yes, we do need more action, to prevent young people from joining terrorist groups or mobilising for violence. But we also need far more support for the young people who are out there, on the ground, working for peace.

III. Partnerships

A third theme today was partnerships.

Governments shared some best practices. These ranged from support to the United Nations peacebuilding activities to efforts for national reconciliation or inter-religious dialogue.

Moreover, regional actors featured strongly. We heard a lot about the efforts of regional organisations – from ASEAN and the EU to the African Union- in supporting peacebuilding on the ground.

And we learned about innovative efforts, led by the United Nations, to create partnerships for peace.This includes exciting work by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund to partner with other UN entities and national actors. But we also heard calls for more coherence, across the UN’s work. Various delegations also argued that the ongoing reform of the UN’s Peace and Security Pillar is crucial to creating a culture of peace.

And, there were calls for broader partnerships. Some of you said that the private sector should play a bigger role. Many stressed that think tanks and academic institutions, like the Peace and Justice Institute, are crucial in providing data and research.

And we heard how the media can help to spread messages of peace – particularly among children and young people.

So, in essence, we all agreed that we cannot achieve a culture of peaceon our own.

Conclusion

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I want to thank you all again for taking part in this Forum. Particular thanks must go to Ambassador Chowdhury – for his commitment to this issue.

Next year will be the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.

And, as we look towards it, I want to mention one other message that came from our Forum today.

It was one of humanity.

Today, we all acknowledged our differences.

The understanding of a culture of peace differed from delegation to delegation – and person to person.

There was no uniform definition. Because, there are differences between us – whether based on religion, culture, language, or politics. But they do not need to hold us back.

Humanity can be the foundation of a culture of peace. It can be the bedrock.
Our differences and diversity, however, can give it colour.

So, we look to the 20th anniversary, next year, let’s focus more than ever on our humanity.

Because, it is our guarantee that a culture of peaceis possible.

Thank you.

(Thank you to Anwarul Chowdhury and the GMCOP for sending us this speech)

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Jackson Browne honored in New Haven with Promoting Enduring Peace’s Gandhi Award

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article by Mark Zaretsky from the New Haven Register

Musician Jackson Browne  was honored Friday night for a lifetime of activism by Promoting Enduring Peace, accepting the Gandhi Award, which previously went to Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. Benjamin Spock, Linus Pauling and Cesar Chavez, among others.


Jackson Browne, scene from video of Gandhi Peace Award by Mark Zaretsky

Browne was the first performing artist to receive the award. Roosevelt was the first winner, back in 1960. Promoting Enduring Peace is based in New Haven.

“I’m happy to be here to accept this tremendous honor,” Browne told the crowd in the Lyman Center for the Performing Arts at Southern Connecticut State University. He added that he knew of a number of musicians he considered more deserving of the honor, but that so many of his heroes had received it in the past that he couldn’t say no.

He said that “with all in the world that needs fixing, I’ve always been drawn to those who try,” and that, as an musician who is also an activist, “my part of this has been to help bring people together. Music is good for that.”

Meanwhile, “my education has been advanced by the contact with all those committed activists, working on all those fronts,” he said.

Browne’s acceptance speech was political at times, with him saying, “the United States must rejoin the world and put the planet first.” He also suggested it’s time to move toward “enduring peace” rather than “enduring war,” saying that the U.S. hasn’t really been at peace since before World War II.

Browne was introduced by environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said Browne “walks the walk” — right down to having a windmill on his farm in California.

“He understands that the environment is intertwined with democracy,” Kennedy said.

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Question for this article:

What place does music have in the peace movement?

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Browne did not perform for this gig — although he said he was a horrible speechwriter and would have preferred to sing.

That honor went to Ben Grosscup and Luci Murphy of the People’s Music Network, described as “a group of people who follow in Jackson’s footprints” in terms of using music to promote activism.
“We are so happy to be part of this event, honoring Jackson” for the work he has done, said Grosscup, the group’s executive director.

The award, named after Indian anti-imperialist and nonviolence advocate Mohandas Gandhi, comes with a $5,000 cash prize as well as a medallion forged from metals salvaged from the control systems of U.S. nuclear missiles.

Promoting Enduring Peace President Paul Hodel said Browne employs “an essential idea of Gandhi’s actions … satyagraha,” or “holding onto peace.”

Other speakers included SCSU President Joe Bertolino, city Director of Arts, Culture & Tourism Andrew Wolf — who read a proclamation from Mayor Toni Harp declaring it “Jackson Browne Day” in New Haven — Frida Berrigan, Chris George of Iris, PEP Administrator Stanley Heller and PEP’s James C. Van Pelt.

“Like so many of you — and so many people around the world — we were raised on the words of Jackson Browne,” said Wolf.

In its news release announcing Browne’s choice for the award, Promoting Enduring Peace cited Browne’s songs that have “directly challenged imperialist foreign policy, environmental short-sightedness and corporate greed.”

Browne, in response to the Three Mile Island nuclear plant malfunction in 1979, co-founded Musicians United for Safe Energy, MUSE. The group had a series of benefit concerts in New York City that year and a movie of those shows, “No Nukes,” followed.

In the late 1970s, Browne also joined the protests and occupation at the Seabrook nuclear plant site in New Hampshire. Browne also was active in the Central America solidarity movement, co-organizing shows in Nicaragua, Cuba and elsewhere.

He is a member of the group Ocean Elders who more recently has focused on the environmental crisis in the seas, where plastics threaten wildlife.

Browne last December released the song “The Dreamer” about the new deportation threat under the Trump administration for those who had been protected temporarily under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

“The measure of a good song is that it doesn’t need explaining,” Browne said.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, North America

USA: Campaign Nonviolence

. .DISARMAMENT & SECURITY. .

An article from Common Dreams

On Saturday, Sept. 22 at 9 a.m., hundreds will rally and march [in Washington] from the Dr. King Statue (on the Southside of the Lincoln Memorial), to the White House for a vigil and nonviolent direct action. Speakers will call for an end to U.S. wars and nuclear weapons, racist policies, rampant greed and growing poverty, and ongoing environmental destruction, and for a new direction toward justice, disarmament and environmental protection. Some will engage in nonviolent direct action.


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Question for this article:

The peace movement in the United States, What are its strengths and weaknesses?

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At 10 a.m., everyone will walk in silence with signs from the Dr. King statue in procession past the Lincoln Memorial to Lafayette Park across from the White House, where they will gather for a legal vigil, to continue their call for an end to racism, greed, war and environmental destruction, and for new leadership and a new culture of nonviolence, with respect, dignity, rights for everyone and for the earth. Some people will then engage in nonviolent direct action at the White House.

This will be the first ever march from the Dr. King Statue to the White House.
The Sept. 22 rally and march to the White House culminates the fifth annual Campaign Nonviolence national week of action, from Sept. 15-22, when a hundred thousand people across the US will speak out publicly against war, poverty, racism, and environmental destruction, and for the coming of a new culture of peace and nonviolence in over 2600 events and march. For a list of events and contact information, see: www.campaignnonviolence.org.

“This week, the president said that protests should be illegal. The right to protest peacefully is at the heart of our country. In that spirit of peaceful dissent, we gather at the Dr. King statue to reclaim Dr. King’s peaceful vision of a new culture of justice and nonviolence, to denounce the violence, greed, racism, wars, and environmental destruction which the United States government is relentlessly pursuing, and to call for a new direction, where our country seeks to make justice and peace for every human being and environmental protection its first priority,” said Rev. John Dear, long time activist and co-founder of Campaign Nonviolence.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, North America

Colombia: Schools for Peace deliver their first results

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An article from La Nacion

Schools for Peace, providing a diploma to children, adolescents, youth, parents, teachers and community leaders have delivered their first results in Villa de Los Andes, in La Plata; Silvania, in Giant; La Arcadia, in Algeciras; and Carlos Ramón Repizo, in San Agustín.

According to the Secretary of Education, Gloria González Perdomo, the project carried out forums and workshops, and the product was the publication of a pedagogical primer.
She added that these have been delivered to the educational communities in subregional forums in the educational institutions referred to. The fourth and last forum was held in

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

Question related to this article:

What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?

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“These primers, as a pedagogical product of the project, should serve as a reference for all the educational, private and public establishments of the department, to address the problems related to peace. Coexistence is one of the pillars of the Development Plan ‘The Way is Education”, said Gonzalez Perdomo.

Peace: transversal theme

Humberto Montealegre, coordinator of the transversality programs of the Departmental Education Secretariat explained, “The purpose of the project of Schools for Peace and Participatory Democracy is the construction of a basic curricular document to develop the Chair of Peace in all educational institutions, not as a single subject, but as a transversal theme.”

He concluded by saying that in this way and in accordance with the curriculum of each educational establishment, all teachers, from preschool to eleventh, should develop teaching programs that promote culture of peace, coexistence and democracy

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