Category Archives: Uncategorized

English bulletin February 1, 2018

MASS MEDIA FOR CULTURE OF PEACE

It has been the dream at CPNN from the beginning that our website and others like us would be able to attract so much readership that the mass media would need to take up the theme of the culture of peace in order compete with us.

I don’t know if we have played a role in this, but indeed we see increasingly, at least in Latin America and Africa, that commercial media are taking up the theme of the culture of peace.

The latest example comes from Mexico as described in the CPNN article, “Zacatecan Radio and Television System to introduce ‘the culture of peace’ as a transversal theme.”

The many decisions taken in their manifesto “Public radio as a force for peace in Mexico” include:

* Every news program should start and end with positive news and should include at least one story related to “peace initiatives”

* Each radio station should hold a marathon at least every quarter with readings, verses, songs and poems for peace and profiles of people who have contributed to peace

* A 30-episode radio program. 15 minutes of duration will be broadcast by all public broadcasters in Mexico with content derived from the manifesto
The manifesto was developed with input from journalists in Colombia who explained how the media are playing a positive role in the transition to peace that their country.

In Colombia, for example, the initiative “Community Radios for Peace and Coexistence”, launched in mid-2016 with support from the European Unon, supports 400 of the 627 community radio stations in the country to generate a culture of peace in the most remote rural areas, those most affected by the armed conflict. The initiative not only opens microphones to the people, but also includes workshops in which 200 community radio journalists have been trained in the elaboration of educational content on peacebuilding,

Last year in Colombia, the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace began training journalists and announcers working at hundreds of small community radio stations across the country including many remote regions where radio is the only medium to which people have access.

In Africa, there are now so many media initiatives for a culture of peace that we have started an entire section of CPNN dedicated to the question “African journalism and the culture of peace, A model for the rest of the world?” Links are provided to CPNN articles from Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and Somalia.

In Uganda, since the end of the civil war with the LRA, local community radio stations have been reaching out to the public through peace reporting with a focus on development. International agencies have trained hundreds of local journalists in peace reporting. A number of community radios were set up with a commitment to peace journalism and are still active today.

UNESCO’s project “Empowering Local Radio with ICTs” is helping radio stations to inspire intolerance for gender-based violence and hold perpetrators and duty-bearers responsible in Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Burundi.

In Senegal last year, journalists and experts from the countries of West Africa and the Sahel met together in a seminar on “The role of journalists and the media in preventing violence and violent extremism.”

“It is the responsibility of each person to spread positive content and useful experiences that participate in the construction of the world, and thus in a culture of peace. It is therefore up to us to make the media a positive tool for the construction of society,”
according to Patrick Busquet, the head of the Hirondelle Foundation (Democratic Republic of Congo). It is in pursuit of this ideal that as of 2014 the Hirondelle Foundation had installed several media in Africa: Radio Okapi in Kinshasa, Radio Ndeke Luka in Bangui, the Tamani studios in Mali, Mozaïk in Ivory Coast, and Hirondelle in Guinea.

Back in 2011, The Journalists’ Network for Peace and Security (NetPeace) was officially launched at the AU headquarters of the African Union under the theme “Promoting a Culture of Peace through the Media”. Regional coordinators were established in Mauritania, Mali, Liberia, Djibouti, Kenya, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

In the United States last year CPNN took part in a panel at Southern Oregon University called “Cultivating a Culture of Peace in an Era of Trump: What’s the Media’s Role?” Among the panelists were Jeff Golden from Southern Oregon Public TV and Bert Etling, a member of the Ashland Culture of Peace Commission and editor of the newspaper Ashland Daily Tidings. Articles on the culture of peace from the Daily Tidings are frequently reprinted by CPNN.

Hopefully, we will see further development of media for a culture of peace in the North, but for the time being, it is Africa and Latin America in the lead.

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION Mexico: Zacatecan Radio and Television System to introduce “the culture of peace” as a transversal theme	TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY Burkina Faso: Inter-religious dialogue for peace: “It is the diversity of religions that gives meaning to religion”	DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION Honduras: Culture of peace promoted in 200 young people from “hot” areas	SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ‘World’s First Solar Highway’ Opens in China for Testing
DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY Baltimore, USA: Conference on US foreign military bases	HUMAN RIGHTS Uruguay’s main trade union center plans massive mobilization to construct a culture of peace	WOMEN’S EQUALITY Women’s March protests across America against President Trump	EDUCATION FOR PEACE El Salvador to prioritize culture of peace in its schools

February 1, 2018Uncategorizedenglish bulletinCPNN Coordinator

Peace Museums flourish around the world

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

An article by CPNN based on the newsletter of the International Network of Museums for Peace

The December 2017 newsletter of the International Network of Museums for Peace describes initiatives around the world.

Ban the Bomb is the title given to the exhibition at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway, celebrating the award of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). At the heart of the exhibition, which will be shown until 25th November 2018, are artefacts from Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Kyoto that are being shown in Europe for the first time, thanks to cooperation with the Japanese Peace Museums.

Andrew Young with statue of M. L. King (Credit: Newcastle Chronicle)

The travelling exhibition, Everything You Treasure – For a World Free From Nuclear Weapons was shown in Mexico City in August 2017, at an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco). The exhibition was jointly created by Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).

The Gandhi Museum at Aga Khan Palace in Pune, India, showcases the history of Gandhi’s strategies to wage his final struggle for freedom from foreign rule. The hall dedicated to Gandhi contains, his writing desk and spinning wheel, as well as a painting of his wife, resting her head on Gandhi’s lap. There is also the Sarojini Naidu library with over one thousand books and journals on Gandhian philosophy and practice.

The Anti-War Museum in Berlin is featuring an exhibition on Henry David Thoreau, American writer and opponent of war and slavery who was one of the key influences on the life and thought of Gandhi through his essay on the Duty of Civil Disobedience. The exhibition consists of 52 text-andillustration panels, and is in English and German. It includes comments on Thoreau by Gandhi, Tolstoy, M.L. King and Martin Buber.

(article continued in right column)

Question for this article:

Peace Museums, Are they giving peace a place in the community?

(article continued from left column)

In Newcastle, UK, an exhibition shown in the University Library, tells the inside story of King’s remarkable visit to the city in November 1967 to accept an honorary degree from the city’s university. On 6th September 2017, the university bestowed an honorary degree on Andrew Young, King’s close friend and colleague who had accompanied him on that memorable visit. Young, later US ambassador to the UN, unveiled a two metre tall bronze statue of King that the university had commissioned to mark the occasion.

A new Civil Rights Museum was inaugurated on 9th September in Jackson, the state capital of Mississippi. The Civil Rights Museum’s eight interactive galleries show the systematic, brutal oppression of black Mississippians and their struggles for equality and justice that transformed the state and nation. For a concise description of each gallery, and images, please consult this website.

Construction of the building for the Cambodia Peace Museum in Battambang began in September 2017 with a target to open already in 2018. The exhibit on weapons reduction will highlight how Cambodia addressed the high prevalence of guns following decades of war. A central piece of this initiative were the Flames for Peace ceremonies whereby communities would collectively turn in their guns to be destroyed in bonfires, symbolising a community’s decision to reject gun violence.

The Tehran Peace Museum (TPM) held a summer school on ‘Youth Dialogue and Peacebuilding’ from 19th to 23rd September in cooperation with the Berghof Foundation in Germany; in the same period, four student volunteers from TPM joined the 96th global voyage of the Peace Boat and participated in educational programmes and workshops. TPM held its first autumn school for young peacebuilders from 13th to 16th November with the participation of fourteen young students and civil society activists.

In Okinawa, from 1st December 2017 until 31st March 2019 the Himeyuri Peace Museum is showing a special exhibition entitled Passing on the Experience of War to the Future – Our Trip to Europe and the Himeyuri Future Generation Project. For more information please visit the museum’s website.

In Toronto, Canada, a press conference held on 25th September announced plans for the opening in 2019 of an Asia-Pacific Peace Museum and Education Centre in the city. It will promote historical awareness of the atrocities of World War II in Asia, while emphasizing peace, reconciliation, and global citizenship in the present

The Association of Japanese Museums for Peace (AJMP) organised its 24th annual meeting at Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum on 7th & 8th December 2017. AJMP consists of ten relatively influential museums including Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Nagasaki Abomb Museum. The annual meeting was attended by all member museums to exchange experiences and discuss matters for consultation.

January 21, 2018DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, global, UncategorizedglobalCPNN Coordinator

English bulletin January 1, 2018

. REVIEW OF 2017 . .

As we finish the year 2017 we can see continued progress in all areas of the culture of peace.

The struggle to stop violence against women was more pronounced than ever this year, as described in the December bulletin, devoted to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This month the mobilization was continued in the 16 days of activism with examples, from Senegal, Burundi, Canada, Colombia, Honduras, Yemen and Australia, among others and a major effort by education unions.

We begin to see the possibility of nuclear disarmament as a result of progress at the United Nations in 2017 as a result of important initiatives of the civil society, as described in the bulletins of June, July, August and November, and marked by the Nobel Prize for Peace.

The decision by the World Bank to halt investment in exploration for fossil fuels is the latest in many important disinvestment initiatives last year. Along with the progress in renewable energy, this begins to allow us to escape from the climate warming caused by fossil fuels, as demanded by the climate marches of Earthday described in our bulletin of May.

In our bulletin of March, we reviewed mass mobilizations that have supported democratic participation. A recent study, reviewed in an article we published last month, shows that such mobilizations have a measurable effect in both the short term and the long term.

As for actors, the United Nations continued to play a key role for a culture of peace, as featured in our February bulletin and as marked last month by its annual culture of peace resolution.

As we have seen in recent years, and featured in our bulletins of July and September, a leading role for the culture of peace continues to be played by Latin America. In December we carried articles from Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Honduras.

Celebrations of the International Day of Peace continue to grow around the world. This year, we found 562 events listed on the internet, much more than the 182 that we were able to find in 2016. It is especially remarkable that the events this year came more or less evenly from all regions:

128 in North America
104 in the former Soviet Union
96 in Europe
81 in sub-Saharan Africa
67 in Asia
58 in Latin America and the Caribbean
28 in the Middle East and Arab States

As described in our October bulletin the celebrations of the International Day of Peace were often led by children.

In sum, we see the continued development of anti-war consciousness and recognition of the need for a culture of peace. On the other hand, we have yet to see this progress resulting in the development of an institutional framework for the culture of peace.

WOMEN’S EQUALITY Education unions join in the global call to end school-related gender-based violence	TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY The League of Ulema, Preachers and Imams of the Sahel Countries: Communication to counter extremism	DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION Brazil: State Government of Acre establishes union with institutions for the culture of peace	SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT UNESCO and UNWTO Sign Muscat Declaration on Tourism and Culture: Fostering Sustainable Development
DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY Nobel Peace Prize Lecture – 2017 – Beatrice Fihn	HUMAN RIGHTS How Nonviolent Resistance Helps to Consolidate Gains for Civil Society after Democratization	FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION Gabon: Pan-African youth commit to fight against radicalization and to promote a culture of peace	EDUCATION FOR PEACE Mexico: Hip-hop: coexistence for peace

January 1, 2018Uncategorizedenglish bulletinCPNN Coordinator

English bulletin December 1, 2017

STOP THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN .

On November 25, 1960, the Mirabal sisters – three of four Dominican political dissident sisters – were murdered by order of Dominican dictator (1930-1961) Leonidas Trujillo, and since 1999, the United Nations General Assembly, designated the date as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in their honor. Is it our imagination or was the day not marked this year by actions that were stronger and more widespread than ever before?

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that unless the international community tackles the problem, the world will not eradicate poverty or reach any of its other goals.

According to UN Women, “The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign spanning from 25 November through 10 December, is taking place this year against the backdrop of an unprecedented global outcry. Millions have rallied behind the hashtag #MeToo and other campaigns, exposing the sheer magnitude of sexual harassment and other forms of violence that women everywhere suffer, every day. Breaking the silence is the first step to transforming the culture of gender-based violence.”

Our survey of Internet articles found marches and other manifestations in Turkey, France, Chile, Italy, Mozambique, Sweden, Spain, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Mexico and Peru, many of them with colorful photos.

Heads of state and other political leaders took part. In France, President Emmanuel Macron announced an initiative to make it easier to report sexual assault claims to police. In Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a new reform plan to protect women from physical and sexual abuse. In Canada, Prime Minister Trudeau encouraged all Canadians to join the #MYActionsMatter campaign and find a way to combat violence against women.

The European Commission stated that “We have dedicated 2017 to European action to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, both in the public and private spheres.”

In Ecuador, the mayor of Esmeraldas, Lenin Lara, took part in 2nd International Conference on ‘Gender Violence in Ecuador and Latin America sponsored by his city, saying that “the fundamental vision is that of a culture of peace, a culture without violence of gender in general that discards the violence of our interpersonal relationships of our lives daily ”

In Africa, local radio, supported by UNESCO, is raising awareness for gender violence across many hard-to-reach regions through dedicated gender-sensitive programming, Our article includes examples from Tanzania, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.

In Latin America, many countries have recently strengthened their legal codes to combat femicide. These include Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador and Mexico. In recent months CPNN has carried details about the movements involved in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

In the United States, the #MeToo campaign against sexual harassment has recently taken over social media. As explained by Tarana Burke, the original creator of the campaign, “It was a catchphrase to be used from survivor to survivor to let folks know that they were not alone and that a movement for radical healing was happening and possible.”

In Bangladesh, A project implemented by the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA) and UN Women in four major universities is engaging male and female students, as well as teachers, to challenge gender stereotypes, speak out and learn how to prevent sexual harassment.

It is important that in some cases the leadership of the activities has been taken up by men. For example, in the Dominican Republic, The Inter-institutional team for a Culture of Peace in San Francisco de Macoris, organized a men’s walk against gender violence called “All United for Respect for Women.” The mottos that accompany this walk include: I respect women, I respect mothers, I respect my grandmother, I respect my daughter, I respect my sister, I respect my wife.

WOMEN’S EQUALITY Latin America: What are countries doing to combat femicide?	TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY Burkina Faso: A forum talks about peace	DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION El Salvador: Project to promote a culture of peace	SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Tunis: Strengthening the scientific partnership between Iran and the Arab countries
DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY 4th Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa	HUMAN RIGHTS Nobel Laureate leads historic march across India to keep children safe	FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION Gabon: Pan-African Youth Forum for the Culture of Peace and the Fight Against Radicalization	EDUCATION FOR PEACE Mexico: Marcos Aguilar Inaugurates Forum “Towards a Culture of Peace”

December 1, 2017Uncategorizedenglish bulletinCPNN Coordinator

Divestment: is it an effective tool to promote sustainable development?

Despite the fact that the climate accord negotiated by the Member States of the UN in Paris does not promise to solve the problem of global warming, the growing progress in renewable energy along with divestment from fossil fuels may ultimately solve much of the problem.

Below are articles since 2015 in CPNN about divestment:

Dutch pension fund divests from two Israeli banks over settlements’ finances

BlackRock goes green? Investment giant joins Climate Action 100+ amid controversy

Fossil Free Movement: 1000 Divestment Commitments and Counting

Coal Divestment Reaches Japan

Emerald Isle Goes Green: Ireland just voted to divest from fossil fuel companies

‘Tide Is Turning’: Cheers Erupt for NYC’s Suit Against Fossil Fuel Giants and for Divestment

World Bank Group Announcement at One Planet Summit

Norway: ‘Biggest Pile of Money on the Planet’ To Dump Fossil Fuels Holdings

Catholic Institutions Announce Largest-Ever Joint Divestment from Fossil Fuels

REPORT: Fossil Fuel Divestment Doubles in Size as Institutions Representing $5 Trillion Commit to Divest

Laureates and scientists call on Nobel Prize Foundation to divest fossil fuels

Catholic institutions around the world announce they are divesting from fossil fuel extraction, marking the largest faith-based divestment announcement

For articles prior to 2015 on this question, click here.

November 17, 2017UncategorizedCPNN Coordinator

South Korea: Busan Film Festival and creation of world culture

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article by Park Sang-seek published by the Korea Herald (reprinted by permission of the author and the publisher)

I attended as an invited guest the opening ceremony of the 22nd Busan International Film Festival on Oct. 12. I immensely enjoyed the whole ceremony and the reception. It reminded me of the 10th Singapore International Film Festival in April 1997 I attended when I served as Korean ambassador to Singapore.

Photo from the 2016 Busan festival.

After the event in Singapore I wrote an article on the SIFF in the Strait Times in which I emphasized that nations can cope with deepening racial, ethnic and cultural conflicts through cultural exchange and cooperation despite, and because of, rapid economic and social globalization.

BIFF has made me reconfirm my belief. It is ironic that economic and social globalization has actually resuscitated racial, ethnic and cultural conflicts. The reason is that the more people contact each other, the less they understand each other.

When different races develop different cultures, they become divided into different ethnic groups. Different ethnic groups form their own states (nation-states). There are also multiethnic states, but they are in general more conflict-ridden than homogeneous nation-states.

Cultural exchanges in general are more likely to promote peace among states than any other exchanges, because economic exchanges rather strengthen nationalism, while social exchange can increase immigration and migration, which in turn create racial, ethnic and cultural conflicts within a state. We are eyewitnesses to such conflicts in multiracial, multiethnic and multireligious states in both the West and non-West.

Why can cultural exchanges promote mutual understanding and empathy better among different racial, ethnic and religious peoples?

My answer is that culture is more likely to activate empathy in the human heart than any other human activity. Empathy is the main source of peace. Some scholars believe that reason is the strongest source, but empathy is more prevalent and stronger than reason in the average human.

How would an average person react to foreign cultures? She may dislike or like them. But art performances transform them into emotional panaceas and invoke empathy in audiences. Among all art forms, film is the best to build empathy because it is an integrated art form (an amalgamation of novel, poetry, music, dancing, drama, sculpture and painting) and can affect every sensual organ of the human.

Whenever I see movies, my racial, national, ethnic, educational, family and ideological backgrounds suddenly disappear and I become a primordial human being and begin to empathize with any other kind of human being.

(continued in right column)

Question for this article:

Film festivals that promote a culture of peace, Do you know of others?

(continued from left column)

When I watched the Iranian movie “Gabbeh,” I thought I was living with a tribe in Iran and experienced the love of mankind. I had the same experience as I had at SIFF when I saw the “Glass Garden” (a profound anatomy of human nature) showcased at BIFF. When I watched a physically handicapped girl, my psyche became instantly connected to hers, my mind melded into hers and I shared my life with her.

Film is one of the most effective and inexpensive means of promoting empathy among all humans and consequently to create a culture of peace. According to the preamble of the UNESCO constitution, “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.”

UNESCO believes a culture of peace can be built through education, interstate cultural exchanges and the preservation of national cultural heritage and diversity. But it has been proven that member states have been using UNESCO for the preservation of their own cultures, not for the creation of a universal culture. I personally observed this during my tenure as South Korean ambassador to UNESCO in the early 1990s.

Since UNESCO which was created to promote world culture has been unable to fulfill its objective, some other international organizations and activities have to undertake this role. BIFF and other similar organizations worldwide are most well-suited for it. I have become more convinced of this after I attended the activities of BIFF this year. BIFF may make small contributions to the creation of world culture, but its small step will lead to a giant step for humankind toward the ultimate goal.

However, it will be practically impossible to build the foundation of world culture without going through an intermediate stage: a regional stage to provide a bridge to a world culture.

Therefore, each region should establish its own regional organization for cultural cooperation. I had this in mind when I proposed a Pacific Cultural and Information Organization at a conference hosted by the Korean Commission for UNESCO in the mid-1980s. Nation-states create a regional culture in their respective regions first and work toward the creation of a global culture next. It is encouraging to note that regional film festivals are also held in all regions.

The freedom of filmmaking is one of the most important human rights. It is not surprising that dictatorships take filmmaking under state control.

BIFF can contribute to the creation of peace and global culture while promoting human exchanges better than any other cultural organization, activity or diplomacy.

After I attended the festival, I thought the programs of BIFF could be improved.

One important shortcoming of the festival is that some programs are not well internationalized. For a lack of funds, the organizer uses many university students as volunteer workers and guides, interpreters or desk workers. But they are not quite familiar with Western culture and protocol. International conferences and events are held according to Western protocol and rules of conduct and therefore BIFF should also be held according to them.

I also believe BIFF should be completely depoliticized. Otherwise, the very purpose of BIFF, the creation of a culture of peace, will never be realized.

[Publisher’s note: The author, Park Sang-seek, is a former rector at the Graduate Institute of Peace Studies at Kyung Hee University and the author of “Globalized Korea and Localized Globe.”]

November 7, 2017East Asia, EDUCATION FOR PEACE, UncategorizedEast AsiaCPNN Coordinator

English bulletin November 1, 2017

CAN WE ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS ?

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), one of the civil society coalitions that supported the development of the United Nations Treaty to ban nuclear weapons. To quote the Nobel Committee, “Nuclear weapons pose a constant threat to humanity and all life on earth. Through binding international agreements, the international community has previously adopted prohibitions against land mines, cluster munitions and biological and chemical weapons. Nuclear weapons are even more destructive, but have not yet been made the object of a similar international legal prohibition.”

For several months now, we have been following progress towards the abolition of nuclear weapons. The July bulletin of CPNN followed the ongoing development of negotiations at the United Nations for the Treaty. The August bulletin headlined that the Treaty was adopted by a majority of the UN General Assermbly – 122 countries.

More recently, during the general debate of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly from 19 to 25 September in New York, many presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers from all regions of the world spoke in favour of the Treaty. And on September 26, Ministers and representatives of 46 Member States, delegations, the United Nations system and civil society took the floor during a day-long General Assembly high-level meeting to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

However, as we have recognized, while the Treaty is an “important victory for our shared humanity“, its effectiveness is limited, because the UN delegations from all of the countries with nuclear weapons, as well as most of their allies, boycotted the Treaty conference and many of them announced their opposition.

The Treaty will not take effect until it has been formally ratified by 50 Member States of the UN. Although it has been signed by many countries, it has only been ratified by three at last count: Guayana, Thailand and the Holy See. Activists agree that a priority in the coming months is to get at least 50 countries to ratify the treaty.

Where activists do not fully agree is the question of a High-Level Conference on Nuclear Disarmament (UNHLC) proposed to be held by the United Nations in 2018:

Abolition 2000 has established a working group on the UNHLC;

Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND) organized an event at the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in St Petersburg to promote the ban treaty, nuclear-risk reduction measures and the 2018 UNHLC; PNND has just produced a Parliamentary Action Plan for a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World;

The Abolition 2000 Youth Network and PNND are organising an international youth conference on the UNHLC to take place in Prague, Czech Republic on Nov 28-29, 2017;

UNFOLD ZERO maintains a webpage dedicated to the 2018 UN High-Level Conference that includes all relevant documents, reports and actions;

UNFOLD ZERO and PNND will produce a civil society action guide for the 2018 UNHLC;

Arguing in favor of the UNHLC, one leading activist, Alyn Ware, has told CPNN that it follows the model of other UN High Level conferences such as the Sustainable Development Conference (2015) which adopted the Sustainable Development Goals. the Climate Change Conference (2016) which adopted the Paris Agreement. the Oceans Conference (2017) which adopted the 14-point action plan ‘Our Oceans, Our Future’, and the Refugees conference (2016) which adopted the New York Declaration. He emphasized that one key aspect which ensured their success was strong cooperative action by civil society.

On the other hand, Alyn regrets that some disarmament organisations are calling the UNHLC a ‘distraction’. This includes ICAN that won the Nobel Prize. We may assume that they are skeptical about UN High Level Conferences in the same way that leading environmental activists were skeptical about the outcome of the Climate Change Conference that adopted the Paris Agreement in 2016. At that time, CPNN reported that James Hansen, father of climate change awareness, called the Paris talks ‘a fraud’ and Naomi Klein, another leading environmenal activist said that “We are going backwards, COP21 is the opposite of progress.”

To make the Treaty effective, and to make a High-Level Conference effective, it will not be enough to have the words of the non-nuclear Member States. We must have actions as well as words. It is up to cities, parliaments and non-governmental organizations to put sufficient pressure on the states with nuclear weapons to bring them to the point of disarmament. The Treaty and High-Level Conference can be effective tools to be used in this process.

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY The Nobel Peace Prize for 2017	TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY br /> Spain: Melilla Unesco Center will host the presentation ‘Islam: Culture of peace and non-violence’	DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION Madrid will again host the World Forum for Peace in 2018	SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Costa Rica A Role Model for Sustainable Tourism to the World
WOMEN’S EQUALITY Mexico: Expanding the Women’s Network against Gender Violence	HUMAN RIGHTS Indonesia’s Supreme Court Upholds Water Rights	FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION Ecuador: ‘Dedicated Lives’ at the Casa Carrión	EDUCATION FOR PEACE Challenge in Colombia: Peace displacing violence as inspiration for the arts

November 1, 2017Uncategorizedenglish bulletinCPNN Coordinator

English bulletin October 1, 2017

. . YOUTH TAKE THE LEAD . .

Youth and children took the lead as millions of people celebrated the International Day of Peace around the world. One cannot help but be charmed by their photos as they engage in many ways to promote a culture of peace.

Especiallly impressive are the hundreds of schools in all of the former republics of the Soviet Union where children cut out paper doves, wrote on each one the name of someone who died defending their country in World War II and sent them aloft in helium-filled balloons. This symbolic demonstration transcended the boundaries of political conflict. For example, teachers and children on both sides of the civil war in the Ukraine celebrated the day in the same fashion, often deploring that war had divided them from their friends and neighbors.

In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, youth peer mentors, taking part in leadership training as part of the constructive dialogues on religion and democracy project of International Alert, climbed a mountain and hauled hundreds of rocks to craft an awesome peace sign in Koh Tash village, highlighting the importance of peacebuilding (see photo).

Children often played the leading role in local celebrations. For example, in Northfield, Minnesota: “Students led the rally as speakers and performers, communicating the significance of the international holiday and why the next generation needs to step up to shape their future, Sunny Leonard, sixth-grader and rally organizer, made the closing speech before the march to Carleton College’s Weitz Center of Creativity. She said youth are the future and it’s they who needs to decide how that future will look.”

In Pinto, Spain, a highlight of the celebration was the reading of a manifesto drafted by the Council of Children of Pinto which highlights the defense of peace along with various proposals to maintain it from the point of view of the children of the municipality.

The African Union celebrated the International Day of Peace under the theme “Engaging youth in peacebuilding”. “This slogan has been celebrated to highlight the role of young people in achieving peace and development,” said AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ismail Shragine.

In Colombia, youth are deeply involved in the reconciliation process. The Youth Network “This is Peace Too” in Tumaco, is carrying out various activities within the framework of the peace week, September 19, 20 and 21 as part of the strategy to reflect on the situation of the country and to transmit messages about forgiveness and reconciliation. They are performing activities such as staging and theater image with a gallery of body images. Young people who are part of the project “Use Your Power to Build Peace” are also participating in the Youth Encounter for Peace in Tumaco, where they exchange ideas with other young people with different youth processes for peace that take place in the surrounding municipalities. Among their activities are murals, ancestral recovery through women’s songs and young songwriters, actions that favor the integration of communities and the construction of healthy spaces for the population.

To celebrate the International Day of Peace, students studying at universities in Uganda from South Sudan are embracing their country’s cultural diversity to foster peace rather than focusing on tribal differences that have torn their country apart. The South Sudanese Students’ Union in Uganda organized a festival in Kampala as part of a series of events marking the United Nation’s International Day of Peace on September 21, whose theme this year is: “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.” Organizers said the event brought together South Sudanese communities and students in Uganda who have been divided along tribal and political lines.

In many cases, music is being used as the universal language of peace. The annual music festival in Nouakchott, Mauritania around the International Day of Peace is dedicated to “jazz music as a vector of peace, freedom of expression and unity.” An especially remarkable example of music for peace is the map of hundreds of Montessori schools around the world taking part on September 21 in the project “Sing Peace around the World.”

Thanks to the new generation, yes, there is a global movement for a culture of peace. To quote Karen Stanley, an organizer of the events in Lexington, Virginia, “there are lots of places around the globe that are connecting to each other with the International Day of Peace. So it was exciting just to add our little town into that mix and do something for peace.”

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION Children and youth celebrating a culture of peace around the world	TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY From Europe to the United States, these cities oppose their governments to better accommodate migrants	DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION Brazil: Community mediation centers begin to work in Recife and Olinda	SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT China eclipses Europe as 2020 solar power target is smashed
WOMEN’S EQUALITY Egypt: Women’s Conference in Gharbia organizes “Women’s Peacemaker” conference	HUMAN RIGHTS USA: Labor Unions Are Stepping Up To Fight Deportations	DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY USA: Campaign Nonviolence Mounts Nationwide “Week of Actions” September 16-24, 2017	EDUCATION FOR PEACE Mauritania: Festival Nouakchott Jazz Plus: 18th to 23rd of September 2017

October 2, 2017Uncategorizedenglish bulletinCPNN Coordinator

United States and Canada: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

A survey by CPNN

We found events in all except one of the states of the United States and all but three Canadian provinces by consulting “Google News” during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “International day of peace”, and “journée internationale de la paix”. In addition, there were many events listed on the following websites, and a few of these events are also listed below in order to cover as many states and provinces as possible.
– Global Feast for Peace,
– UN event map for the International Day of Peace.
– Campaign Nonviolence

To save space, we provide some detail for an event in only one town or city in each state and province, with links to other events in the state concerned.

CANADA

ALBERTA

Edmonton : Participants will write PEACE with harmless chalk on the sidewalk before their homes, Sept 21.
Edmonton
Calgary

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Surrey : The Global Peace Alliance, Surrey Society (GPA) is pleased to announce its 2017 ‘GIVE PEACE A CHANCE’ (GPAC) SURREY FESTIVAL. This is the second in a series of annual GPAC festivals to commemorate “International Day of Peace” set by the United Nations. We celebrate our cultural mosaic and eliminate cultural misconceptions and intolerance that can lead to conflicts and violence. People come together to enjoy exotic music, songs and dances as well as to look at exhibits of varied cultures around British Columbia, and beyond. Many supporting organizations will be on hand with information and display booths.
Castlegar
Kelowna
Nanaimo
Victoria

MANITOBA

Winnepeg : At Miles Macdonell Collegiate peace day, we have a school wide event where students will be listening to variety of speakers and engaging in hands on workshops that pertain to promoting peace at a local, national and global level.
Winnepeg

NEW BRUNSWICK (nothing found in google)

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR (nothing found in google)

NOVA SCOTIA

Halifax : Hosted by the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Centre, Peace Halifax is about rediscovering the magic and practical expression of peace and taking it home with you. Similar events are organized annually in England and the United States. This is the second year for the event in Canada!

ONTARIO

Hamilton : On September 21 throughout the day the University is hosting activities for the campus and general community in support of peace, including a peace walk, peace meditation, and postcards for peace.
Brockville
Kitchener-Waterloo
Toronto

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND (nothing found in google)

QUEBEC

Montreal : The Mayor of Montreal, Mr. Denis Coderre, accompanied by Mr. Dimitrios (Jim) Beis, responsible for procurement, sports and recreation and communities of diverse origins on the Executive Committee of the City of Montréal and Mr. Brian Bronfman, President of the Brian Bronfman Family Foundation and co-founder of the Peace Donor Network and the Peace Tools Network, hosted representatives of peace organizations at a dinner today the City Hall on the occasion of the International Day of Peace, whose theme this year in Montreal is My Commitment to Peace.
Montreal
Montreal
Québec
Sherbrooke
Victoriaville

SASKATCHEWAN

Regina : To mark the United Nations International Day of Peace, Regina City Hall rose the Peace Flag Thursday morning in front of city hall. The flag will fly until Monday. Also to mark the occasion Mayor Michael Fougere issued a peace proclamation.

* * * *UNITED STATES * * * *

ALABAMA

Mobile : Students at Mary B. Austin Elementary will be displaying paper pinwheels in an effort to spread a message of peace to all passers by.

ALASKA

Ketchikan : Ketchikan High School is pleased to announce Kings for Peace, a celebration of International Peace Day on Thursday, September 21, 2017 in the Kayhi Auditorium. At the ceremony, students and community members will join together for the dedication of Kayhi’s peace pole. “May Peace Prevail on Earth” printed on the pole in six languages reflective of Ketchikan’s traditional and contemporary culture will be a visual reminder of the importance of global understanding.

ARIZONA

Peoria : Centennial High School held a special ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Peace Pole, located outside of the school gym, to commemorate the International Day of Peace. The Peace Pole was donated by the Peoria Rotary Club in 2016 and offers a place of solace where students and staff can go to reflect and relax.

ARKANSAS

Hot Springs : 8th Annual Seeds of Peace, Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail. Welcome aboard the starship of peace! It’s time to celebrate our 8th Annual Seeds of Peace a community festival commemorating the International Day of Peace. Sponsored by REGARD- Recognizing Everyone’s Gifts & Rting area on campus.

CALIFORNIA

San Diego : International Day of Peace in La Mesa. Festivities include music, activities, interaction, discussions, and outreach opportunities. Over twenty peace promoting groups will be presented. Representatives of various faith traditions will give testimony to a commitment to promote peace, support diversity, non-discrimination, and the acceptance of people of all faiths and cultures. Sponsored by The Interfaith Council of La Mesa.
Fremont
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Manila
Manteca
Ojai
Sacramento
Sacramento
Tracy

COLORADO

Pueblo : International day of peace flotilla The 23 annual Peace Flotilla is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo. . . .The flotilla is open to students, who may bring 6 foot by 6 foot floats designed with messages of peace for launching in the Arkansas River.
Steamboat Springs
Windsor

CONNECTICUT

Guilford : The Guilford First Congregational Church sponsored the United Nations International Day of Peace Observance on Sept. 21, which took place on the Guilford Green. Dozens turned out for a short march followed by speakers and song.
Wilton

DELAWARE

Wilmington : 4th Annual March for a Culture of Peace . Let’s bring everyone together—city and suburban; black, brown and white; Anglo, African, and Hispanic; native-born and immigrant, advantaged and disadvantaged; Christian, Muslim and Jew; young and old; people of all political views—to show that we are one community opposed to violence, murder, poverty, racism, and exclusion. This is our fourth annual March for a Culture of Peace.
Where: March begins and ends in Wilmington’s Rodney Square, 10th & Market, Wilmington, DE, 19801,followed by A Day of Peace (event described below)
What: A peace march through Wilmington’s West side/Hilltop neighborhood, ending in a rally.
When: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, followed by Day of Peace (below)

FLORIDA

Cape Coral – Organizers are proud to present the 10th annual Peace Day in the Park in beautiful Alliance for the Arts Center. This grassroots community event has grown stronger and more vibrant every year with featured musicians, artists, performance groups and vendors all sharing with you their personal vision and expression of peace. In honor of the International Day of Peace and in collaboration with the organization Peace One Day, the intent is to think peace, cultivate peace and help it grow.
Gainesville
–
GEORGIA

Atlanta : Sunday, Sept 17th the UUCA’s youth is hosting a Posts for Peace: International Day of Peace event with music, readings, and performances. We’ll have a table for folks to create peace flags, which will be displayed in the classrooms. The youth will organize a donation table to collect funds for hurricane Relief (Harvey & Irma).

HAWAII

Honokaa : Honokaa’s 11th Annual Peace Day Parade featured hula halau, the Honokaa High School marching band, magic, Taiko drumming, the jazz band, bon dancers, belly dancers, circus performers and thousands of origami cranes collected for Peace Memorials in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The free, family friendly event is a tradition in the former sugarcane plantation town, and lets people of all ages give peace a chance. . . . Hawaii is still the only state with a permanent Peace Day that coincides with the United Nations International Day of Peace.
Kauai
Honolulu

IDAHO

Boise : At JUMP. Celebrate what’s right with the world at this free community event! A group mediation will be guided by Ashalome Lynne in our outdoor Celebration Circle along 9th St. Let’s gather, unite and cultivate, acceptance and community through meditation and togetherness. All ages with parent.

ILLINOIS

Macomb : An International Day of Peace Celebration will be held at Western Illinois University at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, in the University Union Lamoine Room. This year’s University theme is “Cultivating Peace at Home and Abroad: Our Social Responsibility,” which poses the proposition that together, we as people can take on big and meaningful projects that allow us to live more peacefully. Riad Ismat, an award-winning playwright, director and author from Syria, who has taught at Northwestern University, will join the conversation, as well as share some of his writing from his own experiences living in a war-torn country, as described in his lecture “Living Dangerously.”
Chicago
Chicago

INDIANA

Elkhardt : Hundreds of local students took a page from the 1960’s and dressed up like hippies. It was part of International Day of Peace– which included efforts to deal with bullying. More than 700 students from Pinewood Elementary took to the streets Monday. Many dressed in colorful tie-dye shirts, carrying signs, and chanting. But it was all part of celebrating the International Day of Peace. A day when staff talked with students about why bullying is wrong and friendship is important. The school dubbed the day Hippie Peace Day.
Indianapolis

IOWA

Grinnell : International Day of Peace on the Grinnell Campus. The Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) Committee marked the International Day of Peace yesterday with a screening of “Nilob’s Story, a film by Grinnell students Misha Gelnarova and Matt McCarthy. “We thought this was pretty relevant, especially with the recent travel ban,” said Ala Akkad ’19, a member of the PACS committee who helped organize the event. “I think it’s something that will interest more Grinnell students because it’s something that’s more real when you think about the context of a student who’s gone through it.” . . . .Gelnarova, who is from the Czech Republic, was inspired to document a story of the refugee crisis in Eastern Europe as a response to increasingly violent anti-refugee rhetoric on the Czech public and political stage.
Panora

KANSAS

Topeka : At the Lawrence Arts Center Thursday evening, guests will come together to recognize an international day of peace. And cellos. Without the background behind it, this pairing may seem unrelated, but there is a distinct connection. Fifty-four years ago, Spanish cellist Pablo Casals, was awarded the U.N. Peace Medal by president John F. Kennedy. So on Sept. 21, the international day of peace, the LAC will commemorate Casals and his commitment to peace, justice and freedom.

KENTUCKY

Louisville : International Day of Peace at the University of Louisville;
1) Creating a Peace Pole: “What Does Peace Mean to Me?” at bottom of SAC ramp, all day;
2) Peace and Ethnic Relations Psychology: Students studying this highly pertinent topic are creating art and showing unity. Aid them in creating art through short activities;
3) Peace Expressions: an inclusive and diverse selections of Registered Student Organizations, individual students, faculty and staff present “What Peace Means to Me.” Red Barn, 6 pm-8pm

LOUISIANA

Roseland : On Sept. 21, Roseland Montessori celebrated International Day of Peace. Maria Montessori believed peace education was key to a peaceful world and that it begins with the child. The school was asked to participate in a sing peace around the world international event. More information and to see the school feature can be found at singpeacearoundtheworld.com/. [Editor’s note: the world map for this is as densely populated as the map for all celebrations of peace day !! ]
Lafayette
Ruston

MAINE

Belfast : Students and staff at Cornerspring Montessori School celebrated the International Day of Peace Sept. 21 at their new school on Congress Street. . . . This year’s event featured singing, wishes for world peace and a parade.

MARYLAND

Frostburg : For the International Day of Peace, Frostburg State University and Allegany College of Maryland will highlight the importance of peace globally, in our communities and within ourselves through the following series of events, all of which are free and open to the public. At 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, following the tree dedication at FSU, students from FSU and ACM will participate in “Planting Seeds of Peace,” an interactive public presentation by Srimati Karuna, director of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Center in Washington, D.C. “Planting Seeds of Peace” will explore Gandhi’s enduring message of peace, his philosophies and his life’s work, as well as ways people can practice the concept of peace in their lives.
Frederick

(Survey continued in right column)

Question for this article

What has happened this year (2017) for the International Day of Peace?

(Survey continued from left column)

MASSACHUSETTS

Beverly Farms : The Glen Urquhart School celebrated both the International Day of Peace and the beginning of Rosh Hashanah. Head of School David Liebmann led our community of students and teachers in embracing peace within oneself by sharing a moment of mindful silence. We followed this reflective moment by singing and signing John Lennon’s iconic peace anthem “Imagine.” Throughout this past week, students created pinwheels for peace. Led by upper school teacher Christine Draper, GUS students decorated and assembled the pinwheels and wrote their thoughts about war and peace, tolerance, and living in harmony with others. Yesterday, the students “planted” these expressions of hope in the lower school courtyard as they gathered for the celebration.
Boston
Boston
Boston

MICHIGAN

Troy : The Know Your Neighbor Initiative invites the community to attend the International Day of Peace observance at the Troy Public Library’s Peace Garden, 510 W. Big Beaver Road, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21. The KYN Initiative is a joint effort of many civic, government and school representatives. The program will feature community leaders’ reflections on peace, several musical selections from the Troy High School Orchestra and a dedication of hand-crafted shawls and coloring pages of peaceful images that will be shared at local women’s shelters and veterans’ facilities.

MINNESOTA

Northfield : Community members of all ages rallied together Thursday evening Bridge Square to celebrate International Day of Peace and to show their support for a peaceful future across the globe. Students led the rally as speakers and performers, communicating the significance of the international holiday and why the next generation needs to step up to shape their future, Sunny Leonard, sixth-grader and rally organizer, made the closing speech before the march to Carleton College’s Weitz Center of Creativity. She said youth are the future and it’s they who needs to decide how that future will look.
Moorhead
St Paul

MISSISSIPPI

Jackson : Judah Christian Fellowship: Two events planned: 1. Peace Activity in Head Start classroom, 2. Prayers for Peace on International Day of Peace

MISSOURI

Timberland : Members of the Timberland High School Art Club planted over 1,200 pinwheels around the exterior of their school on September 21st in recognition of International Day of Peace. The pinwheels were created by Timberland students, staff and families in conjunction with “Pinwheels for Peace,” a project that was initiated in 2005 by two art teachers in Florida as a way for students to express how they felt about what was going on in the world around them. Last year, Pinwheels for Peace organizers estimate over 4.5 million pinwheels were displayed world-wide on the same day in multiple countries. “In today’s world, peace needs to be more than just a word,” is the motto shared on the project webpage, www.pinwheelsforpeace.com.

MONTANA

Poison: Meditations for peace

NEBRASKA

Omaha :
Celebration of the diversity here in Omaha and the richness added to our community by people from other countries and cultures.
Listen to peoples stories as refugees.
Interfaith Prayers for Peace
Food and fellowship

NEVADA

Las Vegas International Peace Days celebrated September 21-24.
September 21: Global Peace Meditation and Candle Light Peace Walk
September 22: Breath of Joy, Breath of Peace
September 23: Play for Peace • Compassion Games
September. 24 : Meditation and Peace Labyrinth Walk & Talk

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Middletown : Thirty Mater Dei Prep students were honored to attend and present their Educational Tool Kit Project to the United Nations at the International Day of Peace Conference last Friday, Sept. 15. present the Emerging Global Leaders service project to the United Nations General Assembly. It was one of ten projects selected worldwide to present to the United Nations. The “Education Tool Kit” will primarily benefit refugees forced into migration around the world.

NEW JERSEY

Brookdale : Brookdale Community College. Members of the Brookdale Educational Opportunity Fund’s (EOF) Rising Leaders Academy joined with representatives from the Asia Society and Gateway to Japan on Sept. 21 to hold a college-wide rally for peace in the Student Life Center. The event, held on this year’s International Day of Peace, featured a wide range of activities, information booths and prize raffles designed to educate community members about ongoing global peace initiatives and enlist them in a world-wide effort to enact social change.

NEW MEXICO

Albuquerque : You and your family are invited to celebrate the UN International Day of Peace and Campaign Nonviolence Week of Direct Actions at the Peace Day Block Party, Saturday, Sept. 23 from 3-7pm at the Albuquerque Center for Peace & Justice, . . . There will be music, poetry,dances, food trucks, social justice tables and more.

NEW YORK

New York : On Thursday, September 21st from 11am to 12:30pm a Peace Day Party will happened in Times Square’s Duffy Park right in front of TKTS Bleachers. Paul Sladkis and the Good News Corporation will create the largest Human Peace sign. Participants can sing, dance, Hugg-A-Planets and more. At 12 noon a moment of silence will be held. On the Clear Channel billboard at 1567 Broadway, right off 47th street Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Michael Douglas, Dr Jane Goodall, Dr. Mahmet Oz, Ed Asner, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Leonardo DiCaprio, Stevie Wonder, Shikira singing Imagine, and more will appear. If you can not make the event you can watch on www.PeaceChannel.TV ,www.goodnewsplanet.TV www.goodnewsbroadcast.com , www.peacedayparty.org, Bonbon Live Facebook, www.nyclivemedia.com/live, 3D Broadcast & 1,000’s of channels.
Geneseo
Herkimer
Hamburg
New York
New York

NORTH CAROLINA

Asheville : Join PEACE DAY ASHEVILLE in celebrating the
International Day of Peace with a DOUBLE BLAST OF PEACE. We will have 2 screenings as part of the event starting at 6:30PM. INSIDE PEACE and TOGETHER FOR PEACE
INSIDE PEACE – Four years in the making, Inside Peace is a feature documentary that focuses on four men incarcerated at the Dominguez State Jail in San Antonio, Texas, who embark on a journey of self-discovery. With lives marked by generations of violence, addiction, and poor social conditions, they attend a Peace Class and begin the struggle to discover their humanity and rebuild their lives from the inside out. TOGETHER FOR PEACE: The 2017 Peace Day Global Broadcast combines music from the planet’s leading artists, messages from peace leaders and inspired individuals, and news about communities finding ways to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. More than a broadcast, it’s a journey – an experience of what its like to live in a world of peace and positive action.

NORTH DAKOTA

Bakken : The Williston Herald stopped by for International Day of Peace at Bakken as well! We’re proud to be the only people in the state of North Dakota registered and celebrating International Day of Peace.

OHIO

Urbana : Urbana University a branch campus of Franklin University, the City of Urbana and Champaign County community members will gather in their homes, parks, churches, community centers, offices and schools for a “Feast for Peace.” Community members will share a meal and join in conversations about “peace” and what it means to live a life of peace in the midst of challenging and tumultuous times. This event will begin at 6 a.m. and continue until 10 p.m
Canfield
Dayton
Kent
Worthington
Zanesville

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma City : The United Nations Association of Oklahoma City (UNAOKC) hosted a rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol building on Thursday in honor of U.N. International Peace Day.An estimated crowd of 40 gathered at the at the steps of the Capitol at 6 pm for a casual rally before the special session began Monday.

OREGON

Ashland : Ashland Culture of Peace Commission is hosting various concerts, labyrinths, vigils, talking circles for the 11 Days for Peace. 9/11 is the beginning of 11 Days for Peace culminating on 9/21 the International Day of Peace. . . . .A vigil will be held each day on the Ashland Plaza throughout the 11 Days for Peace where challenges to peace are explored. . . ..A talking circle will be held daily from 11 am to noon at the Ashland Culture of Peace Commission office, 33 First St. Suite 1, Ashland, to explore qualities that help create peace solutions. Our daily focus includes: Forgiveness, Inclusivity, Accountability, Compassion, Respect, Gratitude, Embracing Change, Love, Empathy, and Peace. We invite you to explore,experience, share and participate in creating a Culture of Peace within – and in our beloved city.

PENNSYLVANIA

West Chester The Chester County Peace Movement’s commemoration in West Chester focused on “hate has no home here” with guest speakers and musical performances. We came together to celebrate our common humanity! – Chris Barr, CCPM President, gave the introduction and presented the speakers: Dan Schatz Musician and Speaker; Akbar Hossain Speaker; State Senator Andy Dinniman, 19th District; Dolly Wideman-Scott from the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County. Music was provided by Concordia Choral Arts. State Representative Carolyn Comitta, 156th Districread a proclamation from the State Legislature. Jordan Norley, West Chester Mayor, presented a proclamation from the Borough. We finished with lighting of the Candles in Remembrance and Singing of “Let there be Peace on Earth”
Allentown
Bethlehem
Kutztown
Pittsburgh
Scranton
South Lebanon
University Park

RHODE ISLAND

Kingston : The University of Rhode Island celebrated its 9th Peace Day on the Quad on September 21, 2017, on International Day of Peace. . .. The Center for Nonviolence & Peace Studies was joined in sponsorship this year by Violence Prevention & Advocacy Services, the Women’s Center, and Public Safety Department.Thousands of students dropped by to create and hang a peace flag, get a “Hug for Peace,” and to form the Human Peace Sign.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Columbia : Brockman Elementary School had their 16th Annual International Day of Peace celebration Thursday. The school partakes in this celebration because the founder of the school believed that promoting peace throughout the world starts with the children. During the celebration there are several different musical performances, speeches, and the Dove Peace Award is given to a member of the community that best reflects what it is like to be a peacemaker. This year’s recipient is Kassy Alia . . .. who lost her husband, Greg [a policeman], in the line of duty in 2015. Since then she has turned tragedy into positivity and peace. She has started many community organizations dedicated to building better relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Laurens

SOUTH DAKOTA

Sioux Falls : Gather for Peace in our World! Help celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace.

TENNESSEE

Memphis : Whitehaven youth came together Thursday to hold an anti-violence walk in honor of International Day of Peace.
The goal of the walk is to equip teens to fight not only violence, but bullying and other issues without using guns or fists. The Hooks Job Corps Center held the “Youth 2 Youth” walk, which went from the center on McAlister Drive to Shelby Drive and back to the center. Enita Jacobs-Simmons, the national director of more than 130 Job Corps Centers around the nation, also led a peace walk in Washington, D.C. with one representative from each center.
Chattanooga
Knoxville

TEXAS

Laredo, : Texas A&M International University held its International Day of Peace celebration, hosted as a joint effort between the Officer of International Engagement and the Rotary of Laredo. The campus installed a “Peace Pole” along with “Peace Rocks” which are meant to be symbols of unity, humanity and a common wish for world peace. The United Nations International Day of Peace is observed around the world each year on September 21st. Peace Day Provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences.
Austin
Houston
Tyler

UTAH

Orem : Utah valley University Interreligious Engagement Initiative celebrates the U.N. International Day of Peace with an open house celebration in the Reflection Center!

VERMONT

Newbury : Students and staff from Newbury Elementary School walk on a trail to the top of Tucker Mountain on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, in Newbury, Vt. Newbury and Bradford Elementary Schools met at the top of the mountain to celebrate World Peace Day.
Winooski

VIRGINIA

Lexington : Today is the United Nation’s International Day of Peace. And in Lexington, they’ve been marking it with prayer services, yoga, and other gatherings around the town with “Rockbridge Together for Peace.” “I’ve known about it for several years. I’ve always wanted to do something because there are lots of places around the globe that are connecting to each other with the international day of peace,” says Karen Stanley, an organizer of the events. “So it was exciting just to add our little town into that mix and do something for peace.”
Charlottesville

WASHINGTON

Spokane, Bellingham, Seattle and Vancouver : Today, cities across Washington state are celebrating the International Day of Peace. In Spokane, people are gathering at Gonzaga University to celebrate with the World Peace Flag Ceremony, where each of the world’s 194 national flags are presented and blessed. . . .Cities across the Evergreen State have been celebrating Campaign Nonviolence Week, which ends Sunday, September 24. The campaign, which is sponsoring the flag ceremony, is a grassroots movement where people gather at marches, rallies and vigils to celebrate peace, justice and sustainability. Events are planned in Bellingham, Seattle and Vancouver. This Peace Day comes at a time of increased hostility toward refugee and immigrant communities across the country. Joan’s husband Hank Broeckling, also co-director of One Peace Many Paths, said the point of the flag ceremony is to soothe the current political climate and celebrate humanity’s oneness.
Seattle

WEST VIRGINIA (nothing for International Day of Peace found on google)

WISCONSIN

Manitowoc : Manitowoc Lincoln High School International Baccalaureate (IB) students hosted other Wisconsin IB schools for an International Day of Peace planning workshop. Students brainstormed ways they could work together to make their communities better.
La Crosse

WYOMING

Casper : The theme for 2017 is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.” Help build a culture of peace in Casper with Campaign Nonviolence of Wyoming. Come celebrate and support you and your neighbors working together to create a safe and respectful community for all.

In addition to the events notes above, the Campaign Nonviolence mobilized an enormous number of events, as they say, “During this year’s Campaign Nonviolence Week, September 16-24, 2017 our goal was 1000+ marches, vigils, rallies and more for a culture of peace and nonviolence in cities and towns in all 50 states and in nations around the world. We reached over 1600 in 2017, thank you! Together we marched against violence and for a world of peace, justice and sustainability. We connected the dots between war, poverty, racism, climate change, and the epidemic of violence — and joined forces for a culture of peace.” Click here for a list of these actions.

October 1, 2017FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, North America, UncategorizedNorth AmericaCPNN Coordinator

Africa: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

A survey by CPNN

The following 81 events in 29 African countries were listed in “Google News” during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “International day of peace” and “Journée internationale de la paix.” This also includes some events listed on the websites of the Global Feast for Peace, and event map for the International Day of Peace. It is likely that there were articles in other local languages that are not listed here.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Here are excerpts from the articles.

GOMA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Our friends in Goma celebrated Peace Day with a football match, participatory theatre show (pictured), live music and a march for peace, ending the day with some words of hope from the city’s mayor and a commitment to peace in DRC. Thanks to our partners Interpeace, ISSSS, Search for Common Ground and MSI for a wonderful day.

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA: The African Union (AU) in partnership with the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU), Oxfam International, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) organized a panel discussion on the theme, “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend: Meaningful Youth Inclusion in Peace-Building”, on the occasion of the International Day of Peace (Peace Day) 21 September 2017.

HO, GHANA: Rev. Monsignor Kornu was addressing a peace forum between the Nkonyas and Alavanyos in Ho to mark the International Day of Peace celebrations, which was on the theme: Together for Peace, Respect, Dignity and Safety for all.

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Eastern Africa Standby Force joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day of Peace on Thursday, 21st September 2017 in Karen, Nairobi. The day’s events started with the traditional Peace Walk which was led by the Kenya Army Band along the streets of Karen up to St. Nicholas Children’s Home; a home for orphaned children dedicated to giving these young people a fair chance and hope for the future.

LIBERIA : Peace Walk and Youth Peace Talk organized by Messengers of Peace-Liberia Inc (MOP) in collaboration with United Nations Mission in Liberia with support from UNDP and UN Peacebuilding Fund at the launch of the “Enhancing Youth Participation in the 2017 Legislative and Presidential Electoral Process,” and the commemoration of the International Day of Peace. . . . . It was gratifying to be graced by representatives from UNDP, UNMIL, UNFPA, UN Women, ECOWAS, Ministries of Youths & Sports, Justice, Information, Culture Affairs & Tourism, Rotary Club of Monrovia, National Civil Society Council and the media. Over six hundred students from thirty schools in Montserrado, Bomi, Bong and Margibi counties attended and listened keenly to the peace talk among members of the political parties.

BLANTYRE, MALAWI : People in Blantyre on Friday 22nd September 2017 joined their friends across the world to commemorate this year’s global International Day of Peace which was organised by the People’s Federation for National Peace and Development (PEFENAP). . . . peaceful processions which started from Old Town Hall, via Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) to Blantyre Chichiri Shopping Mall and back to the Old Town Hall.

NIAMEY, NIGER : Our country, like the international community, celebrated today, 21 September, the International Day of Peace. Under the patronage of SEM Birigi Refinei, Prime Minister, head of government, the activities that took place in the course of this day were held this morning at the martial Arts Academy in Niamey.

ABUJA, NIGERIA : Nigerian youths across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, congregated in Abuja, where the unity and peaceful coexistence among the Nigeria people was unequivocally addressed. The event, which had the theme ‘Together for Peace: Respect, safety and dignity for all’, was organised at the instance of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, under the leadership of Dr Dickson Akoh.

IKORODU, NIGERIA : As the world celebrate the International Day of Peace, a Non-governmental organisation, African Democratic Development Initiative, religious leaders and stakeholders in Ikorodu Lagos State have advocated for a society that is all inconclusive and violence free. The celebration was held, today Friday at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat.

LAGOS, NIGERIA : Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has acknowledged the role of citizens’ mediation in the promotion of peaceful co-exientence in the State, assuring that his administration would establish more centres in all the nooks and crannies of the State. . . . Ambode spoke at the celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

KIGALI, RWANDA : To mark the day, over 400 Rwandan youth from across the country convened at Parliamentary Buildings in Kimihurura, Kigali to deliberate on different interventions of promoting values of respect towards more peaceful families. The National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) together with its partners aim to enhance citizens’ capacity to analyse the root causes of conflicts, facilitate dialogue, and appreciate diversity to ensure sustainable peace and development.

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE : The Day was commemorated at the Saint Antony Hall on Skye Street, Brookfieds, Freetown with several state and non-state actors deliberating on the need for peace, credible, free and fair elections in 2018.

CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA : Residents and foreign nationals commemorated the International Day of Peace by launching an organisation that aims to promote harmony between them. The Association for Refugee Communities and Organisations in South Africa (ARCOSA) was launched last Thursday at the Blue Hall, in Site C, Khayelitsha. The launch was done in partnership with Cape Town Refugee Centre (CTRC) and Peace Builders Team.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA : From 19-21 September 2017, ACCORD conducted a training for political officers working in the African Union Situation room in the Conflict Early Warning Systems (CEWS) which was held in Durban, South Africa.

HARARE, ZIMBABWE : A dialogue forum was held today at the UN Information Centre in Harare to celebrate the International Day of Peace.

KAMPALA, UGANDA : To celebrate the International Day of Peace, SOUTH SUDANESE STUDENTS studying at universities in Uganda are embracing their country’s cultural diversity to foster peace rather than focusing on tribal differences that have torn apart South Sudan in a nearly four-year-long conflict. The South Sudanese Students’ Union in Uganda organized a festival in Kampala as part of a series of events marking the United Nation’s International Day of Peace on September 21, whose theme this year is: “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.” Organizers said the event brought together South Sudanese communities and students in Uganda who have been divided along tribal and political lines.

CAPE VERDE : Under the motto “Together for Peace: Respect, Dignity and Security for All” is celebrated on September 21, World Peace Day. The Cape Verde National Commission for UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Family and Social Inclusion, through the General Directorate of Immigration, will celebrate the day on Thursday, at the Manuel Lopes Secondary School in Calabaceira, starting at 09h. The event is attended by the Minister of Family and Social Inclusion, Maritza Rosabal. (translated by CPNN from the Portuguese original)

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2017) for the International Day of Peace?

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(Note: the following events are translated by CPNN from the original French)

COTONOU, BENIN : “Peace is a matter for all, without discrimination of region and religion”. This is the message yesterday to the people of Cotonou by the Scouts on the occasion of the International Day of Peace. Organized by the Agro-Mechanical Center in Ouidah (Camo), these events, which took place at the Placodji Public Elementary School, were massively attended by pupils, teachers and parents. There were also the Scouts of the University Districts of the Injeps of Porto-Novo and Lokossa and those of the districts Notre Dame and Monsignor Isidore de Souza of Cotonou.

BURUNDI, RWANDA AND DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO : On the occasion of the International Day of Peace celebrated on 21 September, 1,500 young people from Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC met in Goma to discuss peace. They participated in workshops on peace and gender and a charity concert.

BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC : Among the activities planned in Bangui, this Thursday, an official ceremony will be held at the Omnisports Stadium in Bangui, in the presence of the national authorities and the leadership of MINUSCA, followed by a photo exhibition at UNMIS headquarters in Bangui. . . .The International Day of Peace will also see a gathering of solidarity with the returnees, returnees and refugees from Bangui around the Abel Goumba roundabout. An activity organized with the Women’s Network of the MINUSCA Police in partnership with the Forces of Internal Security (FSI). A peace caravan initiated by the National Youth Council (CNJ) will travel through all the boroughs of the capital followed by the final of the Peace Tournament organized by the Bangui Football League.

COMORES : Like the other countries of the world, the Comoros celebrated, yesterday Thursday 21 September, the International Day of Peace. The ceremony took place at the council of the island of Ngazidja, in the presence of the political, military and religious authorities of the country. It was sponsored by the Salam association, an NGO working for the consolidation and maintenance of peace.

KANANGA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO : About 500 people gathered at Independence Square in Kananga to commune and commit to Peace, a theme chosen by MONUSCO to celebrate the International Day of Peace. One year after the beginning of violence and repression in the region, the celebration of the International Day of Peace is of particular importance in Kananga.

KASAI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO : For four days, the forum on peace in the Great Kasai was held in Kananga, capital of the Central Kasai. It was closed by a reconciliation ceremony, followed by rejoicing. Despite this, we must admit that questions remain unanswered.

LINGWALA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO : Inspired by the principles advocated by Unesco, namely peace and the quality of education, the kindergarten children of the Academic Complex ACADEMIA celebrated yesterday Thursday with enthusiasm the International Day of Peace . . . Their performance of the song “We Advocate Peace” was highly applauded by the representative of the parents’ committee and the teaching staff at the headquarters of this private school, associated with Unesco.

GABON : Under the label of UNESCO, 103 Gabonese NGOs are fighting for peace as the women of other African countries already do. In this spirit, the Association A ‘Soif, whose founder is none other than Victoire Lasseni Duboz, celebrated the International Day of Peace. . . . Before a rich audience of all nationalities and representatives of UNESCO, the patroness of A’SOIF highlighted the different missions that this association is focused on and presented the plans for a national network of women for peace. “Through this network, 103 women’s NGOs unite to be apostles of peace in Gabon, while placing emphasis on poverty and unemployment which are real factors for the destitution of peace in a state”, hammered Francine Meviane, General Secretary of the National Network of Women for Peace. This UNESCO initiative is already established in several African countries with a clear ambition to create a pan-African network of women for peace.

CONAKRY, GUINEA : On the occasion of the celebration of the International Day of Peace . . . it was before a heterogeneous audience of Guinean and Senegalese writers, artists and other actors of civil society that the ambassador of peace Elhadj Djériba DIABY addressed the audience in a language full of humility and wisdom . ” The peace ! The peace ! Growing peace, without it, there is no development. I am deeply touched by this day because it marks a very important turning point in my life as a peace ambassador not only in Guinea but also throughout Africa. . . . As for the President of the Writers’ Association of Guinea, he also made his messages to the public in order to build a Guinea in peace : “The writer is a shepherd, a lighthouse that can put gunpowder or which can extinguish the fire by his pen. His works must therefore unify, educate, sensitize and inform and at the other end, peace is the central link for all human activities, which is essential to humans in their evolutionary process. So the book helps to understand the importance of peace, freedom and the consequences of war. It would then be opportune to say that this day must call on the young people to invest themselves in the reading to better understand the importance of peace. . . . The day not only allowed the youth to touch the hands of the recommendations of these men of peace but also to enroll in an impulse promoting the behaviors of respect for others. It was also an opportunity for exchanges between the youth and the writers.

LA REUNION : Eric Magamootoo, former President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is visiting Réunion and will be hosting a conference on the theme of Peace and Living Together in Reunion on Thursday September 21st in St Pierre. At the same time, there will be a symbolic olive-tree planting by the Mayor of Saint Pierre and Mr Magamootoo today at the Edith Piaf school in Saint Pierre and there will also be a conference “L’olivier et la paix” at the media library Antoine Louis Roussin in St Benoît

MADAGASCAR : To mark the celebration of the International Day of Peace on September 21, 2017, the Regional Tourist Office of Analamanga ORTANA and the Rotary Club Antananarivo Ainga will organize a distribution of honey for all in the Garden of Antaninarenina this Thursday, September 21, 2017 starting at 09:00. . . . In the Malagasy tradition, honey is important and ubiquitous, whether to celebrate, welcome or bless, honey is definitely anchored in Malagasy culture.

MALI : As part of the celebration of the International Day of Peace, the Association of Journalists for Peace and Non-Violence (AJPV), in partnership with GENOVICO, organized a conference-debate on the theme: to have a more professional press in Mali. It was moderated by Sadou Abdoulaye Yattara, Journalist, Expert in Communication, Advocacy and Media Education, at the Djoliba Center, on Friday, 22 September 2017.

TOGO : On September 18, 2017, the Regional Office for West Africa of the International Organization of la Francophonie hosted some 30 young people for an awareness-raising and training workshop on the values and tools of animation of the initiative “Libres ensemble.” Initiated by the Association les Messagers de la Jarre de Paix (AMJP), the workshop is organized as a prelude to the International Day of Peace.

In addition to the above events, there are a number of events in Africa listed on the event map for the International Day of Peace, including in SONDU, KENYA, as well as ENTEBBE, UGANDA and TAMALE, GHANA and the Buhera rural district of ZIMBABWE.

Many cities and communities are members of the International Peace Cities network and the following are listed on the Global Feast Map as celebrating a feast to mark the International Day of Peace:

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: Bukavu, Fizi, Lubumbashi, Goma, Uvira, North and South Kivu, Kasongo-Lunda.

NIGERIA: Warrake, Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, Uyo, Benin City, Warri, Port Harcourt, Lafia, Sukkur, Ibadan

KENYA: Nairobi, Nakuru, Oyugis, Ringa, Homa Bay, Ogamo, Kakamega

MALAWI: Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Chikwawa

SOUTH SUDAN: Nyala (Darfur), Juba

BURUNDI: Bujumbura, Gitega, Rohero, Ngozi

UGANDA: Kampala, Wakiso, Luweero, Wobulezi, Kabale

RWANDA: Kibuye, Kabare

CAMEROON: Douala, Bameneda, Kumbo, Buea

GHANA: Accra

LIBERIA: Monrovia, Voinjama,Lofa

SOMALIA: Hargeisa, Mogadishu

SIERRA LEONE : Freetown

TANZANIA : Zanzibar City, Dodoma

GUINEA : Conakry

GAMBIA : Banjul

September 29, 2017Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, UncategorizedAfrica, KCPNN Coordinator